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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 




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TEDDY’S BUTTON 


STORIES OF CHILDHOOD. 


Bound in handsomely decorated cloth covers^ small 
4to^ illustrated, each jo cents. 

How the Children Raised the Winch By Edna 
Lyall, author of “Doreen,” “Donovan,” “We 
Two,” etc. Illustrated by Mary A. Lathbury. 

With her accustomed humor, the distinguished author 
relates how two children, by methods as amusing as they 
were unusual, “ raised the wind ” to pay off a debt on 
their father’s church. 

Adolph, and How He Found the “ Beautiful Lady.” 
By Fannie J. Taylor. Illustrated by Helene Toer- 
ring. 

A touching story of the devotion of a poor German 
immigrant and her son Adolph to a little girl, who, com- 
ing to this country on a cholera-laden ship, was taken from 
her mother by the health officers, and, together with 
Adolph and many others, placed in the hospital. Owing 
to a mistake in identity she was reported to have died, 
and Adolph’s mother, though nearly penniless, adopted 
her. The story turns on the boy’s efforts to find the child’s 
mother, the “ Beautiful Lady.” 

The Making of a Hero, and Other Stories for Boys. 

By Mrs. George A. Pauli, author of “ Prince 
Dimple,” etc. Illustrated by G. W. Bonte. 

Six stirring stories of real, live, every-day boys, who do 
the things that boys do in real life, as distirmiiished from 
what they do in books — and nowhere else. The titles are : 
The Making of a Hero, A Matter of Honor, How the 
Twins Went to the Fair, Apron-Strings, An Amateur De- 
tective, and The Old Fort. 

Probable Sons.^^ By the author of “ Eric’s Good 
News.” Illustrated. 

A little child, fascinated by the story of the Prodigal 
Son, whom she miscalls the “ Probable Son,” is the means 
of helping several wanderers to return to the Father’s 
home. 


Fleming H* Rcvcil Company 

New York: 112 Fifth Ave. Chic.\go: 63 Washington St. 
Toronto: 140* 142 Yonge St. 








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TEDDY’S BUTTON 

A n 


BY 

THE AUTHOR OF 

ERIC’S GOOD NEWS," “PROBABLE SONS" 


His banner over me was love” 


a? 

AUft 

hW”^ 0 1 

FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY 
New York Chicagfo Toronto 

M DCCC XCVI 

/ 





Copyright, 1896, by 
Fleming H. Revell Company. 


I 


AN ANTAGONIST 

He stood in the center of a little crowd of village 
boys; his golden head was bare in the blazing sun, 
but the crop of curls seemed thick enough to protect 
him from its rays, and he was far too engrossed in his 
occupation to heed any discomfort from the heat. 

A slim, delicate little lad, with a finely cut face, and 
blue eyes that by turns would sparkle with animation, 
and then settle into a dreamy wistfulness, with a deep, 
far-away look in them. They were dancing and flash- 
ing with excitement now, and his whole frame was 
quivering with enthusiasm; with head thrown back, 
and tongue, hand, and foot all in motion, he seemed 
to have his audience completely spellbound, and they 
listened with open eyes and mouths to his oration. 

With one hand he was fingering a large brass but- 
ton which figured conspicuously in the center of his 
small waistcoat, and this button was the subject of his 
theme : 

“ My father he rushed forward : ' Come on, men ; 
we’ll save the old colors!’ And they shouted, ^ Hur- 
rah!’ as they made after him. There were guns 

5 


Tcddy^s Button 


going, and shells flying, and swords flashing and hack- 
ing away, and the enemy poured on with fiery-red 
faces and gnashing teeth ! My father drew his sword 
— and no one could stand against him, no one! He 
cut and he slashed, and heads and arms and legs rolled 
off as quick as lightning, one after the other. He got 
up to the colors, and with a shout he plunged his 
sword right through the enemy’s body that had stolen 
them ! The enemy fell stone dead. My father seized 
the colors and looked round. He was alone! The 
other soldiers had been beaten back. But was he in 
a funk? No; he gave a loud ‘Hurrah!’ picked up 
his sword, and fought his way back, the enemy hard 
after him. It was a race for life, and he ran backward 
the whole way ; he wasn’t going to turn his back to 
the enemy. He pressed on, shouting, ‘Hurrah!’ till 
he got to his own side again, and then he reached his 
colonel. 

“‘Captain dead, sir! I’ve got the colors!’ He 
saluted as he said it, and then dropped dead himself 
at the colonel’s feet, the blood gushing out of his 
heart, and over his clothes, and over this button ! ’’ 

The little orator paused as he sank his voice to a 
tragic whisper ; then raising it again, he added trium- 
phantly, “ And thirty bullets and six swords had gone 
through my father’s body ! That was something like 
a soldier! ’’ 

“Oh, I say!’’ murmured a small skeptic from the 
crowd. “ It was twenty bullets last time ; make it 
fifty, Teddy!’’ 

6 


An Antagfonist 


'' And that’s the story of my button/’ pursued the 
boy, ignoring with scorn this last remark. 

And did your father only have one button to his 
coat?” 

The voice was a strange one, and the boys turned 
round to meet the curious gaze of a sturdy little dam- 
sel who had, unnoticed, joined the group. She was 
not dressed as an ordinary village child, but in a little 
rough serge sailor suit, with a large hat to match, set 
well back on a quantity of loose dark hair. A rosy- 
cheeked, square-set little figure she was, and her brown 
eyes, fringed with long black lashes, looked straight at 
Teddy with something of defiance and scorn in their 
glance. 

Though at first a little taken aback, Teddy rose to 
the occasion. 

“ One button!” he said with emphasis. The coat 
was sent to mother with only one button left on ; and 
if you ” — here he turned upon his questioner with a 
little fierceness — if you had been through such a 
bloody battle, and killed so many men, you would have 
burst and lost all your buttons, and not had one left 
like father!” 

There was a round of applause at this, but the small 
maiden remained undaunted. 

“ Is that a true story you told ? ” she demanded, 
with severity in her tone. 

'' Of course it’s true,” was the indignant shout of 
all. 

'' Then I tell you, boy, I don’t believe a word of 

7 


Teddy's Button 


it!” And with set, determined lips, she turned on 
her heel and walked away, having sown seeds of anger 
and resentment in more than one boyish breast. 

“Who is she?” asked Teddy, as, tired and ex- 
hausted by his recital, he threw himself on the grass 
to rest. One of the bigger boys answered him : 

“ I seed her come yesterday in a cab from the town 
to old Sol at the turnpike — she and her mother, I 
reckon. They had two carpet-bags, and a box, and 
a poll-parrot in a cage. I counted them myself, for I 
was a-havin’ a ride behind ; and the woman she called 
Sol ‘ father,’ so the little ’un must be his gran’darter.” 

“ P’r’aps they’ve come from ’Mericky,” suggested 
a small urchin, capering round on his hands and feet. 
“ Polls allays comes over the sea, you know.” 

“ She didn’t believe me,” murmured Teddy, chew- 
ing a wisp of grass meditatively. 

“ Gals is no good, never! If she’d been a boy you 
would ’a’ fought her, but I shouldn’t care for naught 
like her, Ted.” 

Teddy turned his face upward to the speaker: “ No, 
I couldn’t have fought her, Sam, if she’d been a boy. 
I’ve promised my mother I won’t fight again till she 
gives me leave. You see I fought four boys in one 
week last time, and she says she won’t have it. I 
don’t see, if it is right for soldiers to fight, why it isn’t 
right for boys! ” 

“ I don’t think there’s any fellers left for you to fight 
with, so you’re pretty safe. Besides, it was only Tom 
Lailcen who set them on to try and get your button 
8 


An Antagonist 

from you, and he’s gone off to another part of the 
country now.” 

“ I think, p’r’aps,” went on Teddy, slowly, as he 
turned over on his back and looked up at the clear 
blue sky above him, that I wasn’t quite true about 
the bullets. I think it was six bullets and three sword- 
cuts. I forget when I tell it how many it was ; but 
she said she didn’t believe a word!” 

Five o’clock struck by the old church clock close 
by. Teddy was upon his feet in an instant, and with 
a wild whoop and shout he was scudding across the 
green, his curls flying in the wind, and his little feet 
hardly seeming to touch the ground. 

There was none in the village so quick-footed as 
Teddy, and for daring feats and downright pluck he 
held the foremost place. Perhaps this accounted for 
his popularity ; perhaps it was his marvelous aptitude 
for telling stories, many of them wild productions from 
his fertile brain ; but certain it was that he was the 
pet and the darling of the village, and none as yet 
had resisted his sway. 

Over the green, up a shady lane, across two fields, 
and then, breathless and panting, Teddy paused be- 
fore an old-fashioned farm-house. He passed his 
hands lightly through his curls, pulled himself up 
with a jerk, and then quietly and sedately opened a 
latched door and entered the long, low-roofed kitchen. 

There was something very restful in the scene: a 
square, substantial table covered with a white cloth; 
in the center a large bowl of roses and honeysuckle ; 

9 


Teddy Button 


home-made bread and golden butter, a glass dish of 
honey in its comb, a plate of fresh water-cress, and 
a currant loaf completed the simple fare. Presiding 
at the tea-tray was a stern, forbidding-looking woman 
of sixty or more ; opposite her was seated her son, 
the master of the farm, a heavy-faced, sleepy-looking 
man; and at his side, facing the door, sat Teddy’s 
mother. A sweet, gentle-faced young woman she 
was, with the same deep-blue eyes as her little son; 
she bore no resemblance to the elder woman, and 
looked, as she indeed was, superior to her surround- 
ings. Two years ago she had come with her child 
to make her home among her husband’s people, and 
though at first her mother-in-law, Mrs. Platt, was in- 
clined to look upon her contemptuously as a poor, 
delicate, useless creature, time proved to her that for 
steady, quiet work no one could eclipse her daughter- 
in-law. Young Mrs. John, as she was called, was now 
her right hand, and the dairy work of the farm was 
made over to her entirely. 

“Late again, you young scamp!” was the stern 
greeting of his grandmother, as Teddy appeared on 
the scene. 

The boy looked at her with a twinkle in his eye, put 
his little hand to his forehead, and gave her a military 
salute. 

“ Sorry,” was all he said as he slipped into the chair 
that was waiting for him. 

“What have you been doing, son?” asked the young 
mother, whose eyes had brightened at the sight of him. 
10 


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An Antagfonist 

Telling father’s story,” replied Teddy, with alacrity. 

A shadow came over his mother’s face, her lips took 
a distressed curve ; but she said nothing, only occupied 
herself with attending to the child’s wants. 

‘‘Your father was never late for his meals,” the 
grandmother put in with asperity. 

Never, granny? Not when he was a boy? I 
shall be always in time when I’m a soldier.” 

” Better begin now, then; bad habits, like weeds, 
grow apace ! ” 

Teddy had no answer for this; his mouth was full 
of bread and butter, and he did not speak till the meal 
was over. Then, while tea was being taken away by 
the women, he turned to his uncle, who, pulling out a 
pipe from his pocket, sat down by the open door to 
smoke. 

” Uncle Jake!” 

A grunt was the only response, but that was suffi- 
cient ; the two perfectly understood each other, and a 
minute after Teddy was perched on his knee. 

I’m wondering if I can’t get an enemy!” the boy 
proceeded, folding his small arms and looking up at his 
uncle steadi'y. “ All good people had enemies in the 
Bible, and I haven’t one. I should like to have a 
good, right-down enemy!” 

“To fight?” asked his uncle. 

“ To carry on with, you know. He would lay traps 
for me, and I would for him, like David and Saul ; we 
should have a fine time of it. And then perhaps, 
if he did something dreadfully wrong, mother would 


Teddy's Button 

give me leave to fight him, just once in a way. Don’t 
you think that would be nice? ” 

“ Fightin’ ain’t the only grand thing in this world ; 
peace is grander,” was the slow response to this ap- 
peal. 

'' That’s what mother says. She made me learn 
this morning, ^ Blessed are the peacemakers;’ but you 
must have an enemy to make peace with, and I haven’t 
got one.” 

There was silence; the uncle puffed away at his 
pipe ; he was a good man, and had more brains than 
his appearance warranted, but Teddy’s speeches were 
often a sore puzzle to him. The boy continued in a 
slow, thoughtful tone, “ I saw some one to-day that 
I feel might be an enemy, but she’s a girl; men don’t 
fight with women.” 

'' I’d rather tackle a man than a woman any day. 
They be a powerful enemy sometimes, lad! And 
what have this young maid done to you ? ” 

She said ” — and Teddy’s eyes grew bright, while 
the blood rushed into his cheeks — “ she said she didn’t 
believe a word of father’s story — not a word of it! 
And she laughed and walked away.” 

That was coming it strong, and who is she to talk 
so ? ” 

“ She’s a stranger; Sam said she’s come to live with 
old Sol at the turnpike.” 

” That must be Grace’s child,” said old Mrs. Platt, 
coming up and joining in the conversation. “ I heard 

she was coming to stay with her father this summer, 
t2 


An Antagfonist 

and glad I am of it, too — the old man is very lonely. 
I suppose her husband is at sea again.” 

“ What is her husband? ” inquired Teddy’s mother, 
as, with work in hand, she came out and took a seat 
in the old-fashioned porch. 

A sailor. Grace was always a roving nature her- 
self. She never would settle down quiet and take a 
husband from these parts. She was maid to our 
squire’s lady then, and went to foreign parts with her ; 
but folks say she’s steadied down now wonderful. 
They’ve been living at Portsmouth, she and her little 
girl.” 


13 


n 


^WHEN GREEK MEETS GREEK, THEN COMES 
THE TUG OF WARr 

Two little determined figures, with flushed, resolute 
faces, stood opposite each other on a narrow foot- 
bridge over a running stream. 

Neither could pass the other, but neither intended 
going back, and the sturdy maiden in her sailor dress, 
with her small hands placed on her hips, appeared 
quite a match for Teddy, who, with his golden head 
well up, looked like a war-horse scenting the battle- 
field. 

It was thus they met again ; both employing their 
Saturday afternoon in roaming along the edge of a 
stream, they had suddenly come face to face with one 
another. 

You’re to let me come over first,” she asserted 
very emphatically, “ because I’m a girl.” 

Boys never go back. A soldier’s son never! I’m 
not going to turn my back before the enemy ; I would 
disgrace my button if I did.” 

'‘That old button!” The tone was that of utmost 
scorn. 

Teddy’s cheeks grew rosy red at once, but he said 
nothing. 

14 


'^When Greek meets Greek 


I got to this bridge before you did,” she continued. 

I began to cross it first. KwA yoUy who are you? 
No one knows anything about you. I have been 
crossing this bridge iox years'" 

“ More reason you shouldn’t cross it now. My 
name is Nancy Wright; that’s who I am.” 

A princess could not have revealed her name more 
royally. She added after a pause, And I mean to 
come over first, so go back.” 

Never! I never go back!” 

“Then I shall push you over in the water.” 

“ Come on and try, then!” 

Then there was silence ; both the little people eyed 
each other defiantly, yet a little doubtfully, as if 
measuring one another’s strength, and their faces grew 
eager at the coming contest. 

“ Boys always ought to give way to girls, always,” 
Nancy said, using her strongest plea; “you’re not a 
proper boy at all.” 

“ You’re not a proper girl. You’re wearing a boy’s 
hat and a boy’s jacket.” 

“I’m a sailor’s daughter, and everybody can see I 
am. You say you’re a soldier’s son; why don’t you 
dress like one ? ” 

Teddy felt he was getting the worst of it. He fin- 
gered his button proudly. 

“ I’m wearing something that has been in the thick 
of a bloody battle; that’s more than you can do. 
Sailors don’t know much of fighting.” 

“ They know just as much as soldiers, and as to 

15 


Teddy^s Button 

your old button, I b’lieve you just picked up the old 
brass thing from the gutter!” 

“ If you weren’t a girl I’d fight you,” sputtered 
Teddy, now with rising wrath. 

“Pooh! I expect I could lick you; I don’t b’lieve 
you have half as big a muscle as I have on my arm.” 

“ A girl have muscle! It’s just a bit of fat!” 

The tone of scorn proved too much for Nancy’s self- 
control ; with a passionate exclamation she made a 
quick rush across the plank, there was a struggle, and 
the result was what might have been expected — a 
great splash, a scream from Nancy, and both little 
figures were immersed in the stream. Happily the 
water was not very deep, and after a few minutes’ 
scrambling they were on dry ground, considerably 
sobered by their immersion. Teddy began to laugh 
a little shamefacedly, but Nancy was very near tears. 

“ I’ll tell my mother you nearly drowned me dead.” 

“ If you’re a sailor’s daughter you oughtn’t to be 
afraid of the water; sailors and fish are always in the 
sea.” 

“They’re never in it, never!” 

“ Well, they’re on it, as close as they can be to it. 
Why, you’re nearly crying! But you’re only a girl, 
and a sailor’s girl can’t be very brave — not like a sol- 
dier’s girl would be.” 

“ Sailors are much braver than soldiers,” said Nancy, 
quickly swallowing down her tears ; “ and when they 
do fight they’re in much more danger than the soldiers. 
Father said, how would soldiers like the earth to swal- 

i6 


"When Greek meets Greek 


low them up just when they’ve been fighting hard and 
got the victory ? That’s what the sea does to the poor 
sailors. Their ship begins to sink, and they send up 
three cheers for flag and country, and then stand on 
deck with folded arms, and go down, down, down to 
the bottom of the sea, and never make a cry ! ” 

Nancy forgot her wet clothes in her eloquence, and 
Teddy stared wonderingly at her. 

” Well,” he said, as if considering the matter, “ they 
may be sometimes brave, but they don’t fight like the 
soldiers, and they have no banners, uniforms, and band, 
and they don’t know how to march. A sailor walks 
anyhow. I saw one once, and I thought he was tipsy, 
but he wasn’t. A sailor walks like a goose — he wad- 
dles!” 

“You’re the horridest, rudest boy I’ve ever seen!” 
And with the utmost dignity Nancy walked away, 
Teddy calling after her, “You made a pretty good 
charge for a girl, but you couldn’t get past me!” 
And then with one of his loud whoops he raced home, 
and hardly drew a breath till he reached the farm- 
house door. His grandmother confronted him at once : 

“You young rascal, what have you been doing? 
You’re never a day out of mischief. If I was your 
mother I’d give you a good whipping, but she spoils 
you.” 

“And you do too, granny!” 

Teddy’s laughing blue eyes, as he raised them to 
the grim face before him, conquered, as they generally 
did. 


17 


Tcddy^s Button 

“There, go to your mother; she's in the dairy; I 
wash my hands of you.” 

But Teddy crept up to his little room to change his 
wet clothes before he met his mother, and then was 
very silent about his adventure, merely saying by way 
of explanation that he had fallen into the brook ; but 
at tea, a short time after, he suddenly said : 

“ If you put a sailor and a soldier together, which 
would you choose. Uncle Jake?” 

“ Eh, my laddie? Well, they're both good in their 
way. I couldn’t say, I’m sure.” 

“ Mother, wouldn’t you say the soldier was the 
braver? ” 

“ Perhaps I might, son; but a sailor can be quite as 
brave.” 

Teddy’s face fell. “ I never thought a sailor could 
fight at all,” he said in a disappointed tone ; “ I thought 
they just took care of our ships, and now and then 
fired a big gun off.” 

“ Who’s been bringing up the sailors to you ? ” 
asked his grandmother. 

“That little girl I told you of — Nancy her name 
is.” 

“ Where have you seen her? ” 

“ Down by the brook ; we fell into the water to- 
gether because we both wanted to cross at once.” 

“ But, my boy, that was naughty for you not to 
give place to her,” and Mrs. John spoke reprovingly. 

“ I know it was, mother, but I wasn’t going to turn 
back ; that would be running away from the enemy. 

i8 


^When Greek meets Greek ^ 

You see we met in the middle, and she’s not at all a nice 
girl, and she’s so proud and stuck up about the sailors ! ” 

As proud as you are of the soldiers, I guess,” old 
Mrs. Platt said. 

Do sailors and soldiers like each other?” ques- 
tioned Teddy, ignoring the thrust. 

” I am sure I don’t know,” his mother answered, 
smiling. I have never seen them together, that I 
remember, but I should think they did. They both 
fight for their country.” 

Well, I’m a soldier’s son, and I don’t like a sail- 
or’s daughter, I know that ! I think she is a kind of 
enemy.” 

Oh, hush! son. You must have no enemies. It 
is wrong to talk so.” 

“ That’s what he was a-sayin’ to me t’other day,” 
put in his uncle, slowly; “ he says he wants one.” 

'^Yes, I do,” and Teddy gave a fervent nod as he 
spoke; ‘*and, mother, I believe most good people 
have enemies, so it must be right to have one.” 

They never make one, as you’re trying to do.” 

Teddy looked puzzled. 

” Well,” he said presently, “ I expect it’s because 
she’s a stranger. She doesn’t belong to our village. 
I don’t 'ike strangers.” 

» She’s no more a stranger than you were when you 
first came here,” his mother said ; and the fact of her 
being a stranger ought to make you kind to her.” 

'' I’m thinking of calling on her mother,” old Mrs. 
Platt said, looking at her little grandson with her keen 

19 


Teddy Button 

gray eyes. “ Shall I take you with me to see the lit- 
tle girl? ” 

“ I’ve seen her enough, granny. Please, I think Fd 
rather not.” 

The subject was dropped, but Teddy’s thoughts 
were busy. He ran down to the village green after 
tea, and there met one or two of his special chums, to 
whom he confided the events of the afternoon. They 
highly applauded the scene at the bridge, but Teddy 
shook his curly head a little doubtfully. 

Men ought always to give way to women. I’ve 
heard mother say ; but I couldn’t turn back, you see ; 
it would have disgraced my button.” 

“Tell you what,” cried Harry Brown, commonly 
known as “Carrots” from his fiery hair, “you could 
’a’ done what the goats did in the primer at school ; 
you ought ter have laid flat down and let her walk 
across you.” 

“ She would have hurt dreadful,” Teddy observed 
thoughtfully. “ Besides, she’s so proud, I don’t think 
I would have liked to do that.” 

“ No,” put in Sam Walters; “ you did fine. I say, 
let’s come up to the turnpike and see if she’s about 
there. I’ll give her a word if she begins to sauce me.” 

Teddy agreed to this, and the trio trotted off along 
a flat, dusty road, Teddy beguiling the way by some 
of his wonderful stories, till they came in sight of the 
low, thatched cottage, covered with roses, that guarded 
the turnpike. 

They soon saw the young damsel, for she was swing- 


20 


"When Greek meets Greek ^ 

ing on the gate, her dark hair flying in the wind, and 
her eyes and cheeks bright with the exercise. She 
looked at the boys, then laughed. 

“Poor little button-boy!” she said; “you have to 
be taken care of by two bigger ones.” 

“WeVe come to see you,” said Sam, valiantly, 
“ because we ain’t going to stand any cheek from you ; 
so you’d better look out.” 

Nancy stopped swinging, and, resting her fat little 
elbows on the topmost bar, asked saucily, “ Did the 
button-boy tell you to come and help him fight me? 
Are you all three going to try ? ” 

“ We don’t fight girls,” said Teddy. 

“ You push them into the water.” 

“ I didn’t.” 

“ I told mother about it. She thought you were a 
very rude boy not to wait till I crossed over.” 

There was silence ; then Carrots started forward. 

“Look here; you’ll have to learn your manners, 
and we won’t have a strange girl like you stick your- 
self up so. We’ve come to tell you to look out for 
yourself if you don’t stop it.” 

Nancy laughed again, and swung herself violently 
backward and forward. “Yo ho! my lads, yo ho!” 
she sang. “ I’m on my ship, and I don’t care for boys 
a bit; they’re all as stupid as they can be. Yo ho, 
we go! Yo ho, lads, heave ho!” 

Her elevated position certainly seemed to give her 
an advantage. 

“ We’ll soon shake you off there! ” shouted Sam, his 


Teddy's Button 

wrath rising at her calm indifference to the lords of 
creation. 

“ Come on and try. I’m up the rigging, and a storm 
is beginning. Hurray — come on!” 

Sam and Carrots made a furious onslaught, and the 
gate was roughly handled ; but the more it shook and 
swung, the more derisive was Nancy’s laughter, as she 
clutched a firm hold with her small hands, and swayed 
to and fro, calling out excitedly, “ Furl the mainsail! 
Stand by, lads — steady — starboard hard! Port your 
helm ! Rocks to leeward ! Reef the topsail ! Break- 
ers ahead! Yoho!” 

Teddy looked on awed by these nautical terms, 
which seemed to slip so easily from her lips. To him 
they seemed wonderfully clever, but he was not one 
to stand aside long in- a scene of excitement, and with 
one of his wild war-whoops he rushed forward. 

"‘On, boys! Charge! Hurrah!” 

The gate rocked violently, and Nancy began to feel 
her position was a perilous one. All the little people 
were screaming at the top of their voices, when sud- 
denly, in the midst of the din, appeared old Sol. 

“ What now ? Who are these trying to break one 
of our gates down? Be off, you young ruffians! 
Teddy Platt, you’re at the bottom of all the mischief 
brewing in the parish. I’ll get my big stick out and 
give you a thrashing before I’ve done with you!” 

Old Sol’s words were fierce, but the boys knew he 
had the softest heart in the village, and they stood 
their ground. 

22 


When Greek meets Greek ^ 

It’s all the button-boy,” said Nancy, eagerly, as 
she descended from her perch and laid her little hand 
confidingly on the old man’s arm. “ He brought 
these boys up to fight me, but I was up the mast, and 
they couldn’t shake me off!” 

” We told you we wouldn’t fight a girl,” protested 
Teddy, indignantly; “you don’t speak the truth.” 

“Well, what did you bring the boys for?” de- 
manded the small maiden, severely. 

“ We came,” put in Sam, boldly, “ to tell you that 
if you were so cheeky you would soon get into trou- 
ble. We ain’t going to stand sauce from you.” 

“ What has the little lass been doing, you young 
scoundrels?” 

“ They’re only boys, grandfather ; let us come in to 
mother and leave them. They’re the rudest boys I’ve 
ever seen, and the button-boy is the worst, and his 
button isn’t worth a farthing!” 

There was a yell from all three boys at this. 

“That’s it!” cried Carrots, excitedly. “It’s the 
button she’s so cheeky about. We ain’t going to 
have Teddy’s button laughed at. We won’t stand it, 
Sol — we won’t! ” 

“ It shows she don’t know nothing, or she wouldn’t 
talk so. She’s just a baby, that’s what she is.” 

“ Why, she doesn’t believe father’s story is true, 
Sol! You know it is, don’t you?” 

“ She isn’t as old as the button itself.” 

“Ha! ha! she wasn’t born when it was in battle. 
Much she knows about it!” 


23 


Teddy^s Button 


Sol had difficulty in quieting the indignant voices. 

Look ’ee here, you boys, go home and leave my 
little lass to me ; she knows nothing about the button, 
ril tell her the story, and then she won’t laugh at 
it any more. Aye, I remember seeing your father, 
youngster. He was a brave man, he was, but he 
would never have made war against little maids like 
this. Shame on you ! get you home. Get you gone, 
I say, or I’ll bring my stick out.” 

“ She’s been told the story. She listened and she 
laughed. She ought to say she’s sorry.” 

Teddy stood with his legs wide apart and his hands 
in his pockets. His tone was severe. 

I’ll never, never, never say I’m sorry. I’m glad 
of what I said. I don’t believe a word of it!” 

And with this parting shot Nancy ran into the cot- 
tage, and the boys returned to the village more slowly 
than they came. 

Mother,” said Teddy, that night, as his mother 
bent down for a good-night kiss, “ I haven’t been good 
to-day, and I don’t feel good now. I feel, when I 
think it over, so angry inside.” 

What is it about, son? ” 

Father’s button.” The tone was drowsy, and see- 
ing his eyelids droop heavily, Mrs. John said no more, 
only breathed a prayer that her little son might fight 
as bravely for Christ’s honor as he did for that of his 
father’s button. 


24 


Ill 


A RECRUITING SERGEANT 

It was Sunday morning. Along a sweet-scented 
lane, with shady limes overhead, and honeysuckle and 
wild roses growing in profusion on the hedges at either 
side, walked Teddy’s mother, holding her little son 
tightly by the hand. The bells of the village church 
were ringing out for the service, and groups of two 
and three were passing in at the old lich-gate. Mrs. 
John was talking in her sweet, clear voice to her boy, 
and he, letting his restless blue eyes rove to and fro, 
noting every bird on the hedges and every flower in 
the path, would bring them back to his mother’s face 
with a dreamy upward gaze. I will try, mother, I 
really will. I will keep my hands tight in my pock- 
ets, and my feet close together; I will pretend I’m 
going to be shot by a file of soldiers, and then I really 
think that will help me not to fidget. I promise you 
I’ll be good to-day.” 

And having received this protestation from him, 
Mrs. John passed into church with a relieved mind. 
Teddy’s restless little body was a sore trial to any one 
who sat next him in church, and many were the lec- 

25 


Tcddy^s Button 


tures that had been bestowed on him by Sunday- 
School teacher and pastor, besides the gentle admoni- 
tions of his mother. 

As Teddy quietly perched himself on the seat be- 
side his mother he murmured to himself, “Twenty sol- 
diers in front of me, twenty rifles pointing. I shall 
stand like a rock; I’ll set my teeth, and I sha’n’teven 
blink my eyes. Now I see the officer coming; he’s 
going to say, 'Present!’ I’m not moving a muscle. 
Five minutes more they’ll give me — ’’ 

His active brain here received a check. There, on 
the opposite side, facing him, was Nancy, seated be- 
tween her mother and old Sol. She was still in her 
sailor suit, and with her dark, mischievous brown eyes 
fixed steadily on him, Teddy could not remain un- 
moved beneath her gaze for long. His little hands 
were working nervously in his coat pockets. Why 
did she stare at him so ? Well, he could stare back ; 
and then blue eyes and brown confronted each other 
for some moments with unblinking defiance in their 
gaze. At last Teddy’s patience gave way, and twist- 
ing up his little features into a most grotesque grim- 
ace, he mounted a hassock to give her the full benefit 
of it. 

Instantly out came a little red tongue at him, and 
at this daring piece of audacity he gasped out loud, 
“ I hate you 1 ” 

Then, as all eyes in the surrounding pews were 
turned upon him, and his mother’s shocked gaze met 
his, Teddy crimsoned to the roots of his hair, and tak- 
26 


A Recruiting Sergeant 

ing up a large prayer-book, he used it as a shield from 
his small antagonist during the remainder of the ser- 
vice. As the congregation were leaving the church 
later on, the rector made his way to young Mrs. Platt, 
who was lingering talking to a neighbor. He was a 
gray-haired, gentle-faced man, with a slow, dreamy 
manner in speaking. 

Mrs. John, what has happened to make your little 
boy so forget himself this morning?” 

” Indeed, sir, I cannot say. I really thought he was 
going to be good to-day.” 

” I think he had better come to tea with me this 
afternoon, and we will have a little talk together.” 

Teddy looked up with awe in his blue eyes. He 
well knew that this was the rector’s usual practice 
when any delinquent was brought before his notice, 
but it had never yet fallen to his lot to receive the in- 
vitation. Mr. Upton had his own way of doing things, 
so people said, and he had greater faith in reasoning 
with any culprits than scolding them, whether they 
were grown men or women or children. 

Teddy’s restless ways in church had been a trial to 
him for a long time, and he felt that this morning’s 
action must receive a check. 

Thank you, sir,” responded Mrs. John; **he shall 
come to you after school is over this afternoon.” 

And Teddy, completely sobered, walked home be- 
side his mother without uttering a word. 

At half-past four he stood on the rectory door-steps 
looking into the cool, broad hall in front of him, which 

27 


Teddy's Button 


led out of a glass door at the opposite end into a bril- 
liant flower garden. Spotless white druggeting cov- 
ered the floor and stairs, and everything indoors 
denoted a careful housekeeper. Mr. Upton was a 
widower, and was to a great extent ruled by two or 
three old and faithful servants. 

As the boy stood there the rector appeared and led 
him into his study. 

We shall have half an hour before tea to have a 
little conversation, my boy. Sit down and tell me 
what you have been learning at Sunday-school this 
afternoon.” 

“ Teacher was telling us about the children of Israel 
in Egypt. Tm afraid I don’t remember very much 
what he said, for I was busy thinking about coming 
to see you.” 

Mr. Upton smiled and drew the child on to talk; 
then, after he was thoroughly at ease, he put a large 
Bible in front of him. 

” I want you to read me a verse in the First Epistle 
of St. John, and the third chapter. It is the fifteenth 
verse; can you find it?” 

”Yes, sir,” and with an eager importance Teddy 
turned over the leaves. 

“ ' Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer,’ ” 
he read solemnly. 

” That will do. Now think it over for five minutes 
in silence, and then tell me what your thoughts are 
about it.” 

The boy hung his head in shame ; he folded his 

28 


A Recruiting Sergeant 

arms and sat immovable till the five minutes were 
over ; then he said timidly, I wouldn’t hate a 
brother. I’d like to have one. Do you think it 
means the same when it’s a girl ? ” 

Precisely the same ; a brother means any person 
in the world, man, woman, or child.” 

”Then I ought to be hung.” 

There was much self-pity in Teddy’s tone. Mr. 
Upton did not smile ; he was gazing abstractedly out 
of the window, and said slowly, ” The root of murder 
is anger. The same motive that prompts a passion- 
ate statement prompts a passionate and perhaps fatal 
blow.” 

There was silence ; then, in a more cheerful tone, 
the rector turned to the little culprit. 

'' And now tell me the whole story, and who it was 
that you spoke to in church.” 

Teddy was perfectly ready with his defense, and he 
poured into his listener’s ears such a voluble story that 
the rector was quite bewildered when it came to an end. 

It’s father’s button I care about,” added the boy, 
fingering his beloved object proudly, and she didn’t 
believe me a bit, and she put out her tongue as long 
as ever she could!” 

” Tell me the story of the button. I have heard, 
but have forgotten the details.” 

Teddy’s eyes sparkled and his little head was raised 
erect again. Slipping off his chair, he stood in front 
of the rector and told the oft-repeated tale with dra- 
matic force and effect. Mr. Upton listened with in- 

29 


Teddy^s Button 


terest, but before he could offer any comment on it 
tea was announced, and taking the child by the hand 
he marched him into the dining-room. 

Hot tea-cakes, strawberry jam, and plum-cake kept 
our little friend fully occupied for some time. He 
wondered if all the naughty boys interviewed by the 
rector had been treated to the same fare, and he began 
to think an invitation to Sunday tea at the rectory 
highly desirable. 

And now,” said Mr. Upton, toward the end of the 
meal, “ I want some more talk with you. Your father 
was a brave soldier; he died in saving the colors. You 
want to grow up like him, do you not?” 

“Yes, sir; indeed I do.” 

“ There is a little verse in God’s Word that de- 
scribes our Lord’s banner — His colors. Will you say 
it after me? " His banner over me was love.’ ” 

Teddy repeated the verse slowly and with interest. 

“ It is a wonderful banner,” pursued Mr. Upton, 
thoughtfully, “ the enemy confronted with it on every 
side. In the thick of the fight we can but hoist our 
colors, ‘ love ’ — God’s love to man, when man is fight- 
ing from his infancy against his Maker. What host 
would march to meet the foe with such a banner dyed 
red with the life-blood of their Captain, the Son of 
God, the Saviour of the world?” 

Teddy drew a long breath, and when the rector 
paused he cried enthusiastically, “ Please go on, sir. 
I like to hear it. Will God let me hold up the banner 
for Him?” 

30 


5L 


A Recruiting; Sergeant 

If you have enlisted in His service. Are you one 
of His soldiers?” 

” I don’t know.” 

” God always wants each of us to present ourselves 
to Him if we want to enlist in His army. Have you 
done that? There must come a time in our lives when 
we yield ourselves wholly and unreservedly to the One 
who is our rightful owner. Why, my boy, do you 
believe that Jesus died upon the cross to save you ? 
Did He bear your sins for you there? ” 

“Yes,” said Teddy, fixing his blue eyes earnestly 
on the rector; “I really believe He did, for mother 
has often explained it to me.” 

“ Then how dare you stand aloof from His army ? 
How is it that you have never enlisted? Are you 
marching along in the enemy’s ranks ? ” 

Teddy’s small hands were clenched and his eyes lit 
up with a great resolve. 

“ I’ll enlist at once, sir. I’ll be one of God’s soldiers 
now.” 

“ How are you going to do it? ” 

“ I don’t know. Tell me, please.” 

There was silence. Mr. Upton met the child’s ear- 
nest upward gaze with awe as he realized how much 
hung on his words. He had a firm belief in children 
being able to lead a consistent Christian life. He knew 
the Master would accept a child’s heart, and guide and 
keep the frail and helpless steps on the way heaven- 
ward. And with a swift prayer for guidance he 
spoke : 


31 


Tcddy^s Button 


“ You must tell God about it yourself, and don’t be 
in a hurry. Kneel down quietly by yourself some- 
where, and first of all ask that the Holy Spirit may 
guide you, that your sins may be blotted out, and 
your name written in the book of life, for the sake of 
Jesus, who died for you. Then tell God you want 
Him to enlist you, and give yourself right up to Him 
for now and for all eternity.” 

Mr. Upton spoke slowly and emphatically ; he knew 
he often preached above the heads of his little hearers, 
and he strove to speak in simple language now. 

Teddy remained very silent; then he said, ” And if 
I enlist, shall I have to be God’s soldier for ever and 
ever, till I’m an old man of a hundred, with white hair 
and no teeth? ” 

“ Would you rather be one of the devil’s soldiers? ” 

‘^No.” 

“You are quite right to think it over. I would 
rather you did not decide too hastily. Go home and 
think it out, and come and tell me when you have 
decided.” 

The boy’s white brow was crumpled with anxious 
creases. 

“ I should like to be one of God’s soldiers, but who 
shall I have to fight ? Any real enemies, or only make 
believe ? ” 

“ I will tell you about your enemies after you have 
enlisted. I can show you one very real one that is 
your worst enemy.” 

“ Can you ? A real live one ? ” 


32 


A Recruiting Sergeant 

A real live one.” 

Teddy smiled contentedly. 

Now,” added Mr. Upton, ” I am going to send 
you home. If you enlist, the first person you will 
have to hold up your banner to is that little girl whom 
you said you hated. Before you go I want to pray 
for you. Kneel down with me.” 

The evening sunshine streamed in through the open 
window, and, alighting on the white hair of the minis- 
ter and the boy’s fair curls as they knelt together, 
bathed them in a golden glory. With closed eyes 
and folded hands Teddy listened to Mr. Upton’s 
prayer : 

” Loving Father, another lamb I bring to Thee. 
Guide him in his decision, and if he enters Thy fold 
use him and bless him through all eternity. Grant 
that he may fight a good fight, and be crowned with 
glory hereafter; for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.” 

An hour later and Teddy was seated by his moth- 
er’s side in the old porch. His grandmother and uncle 
had gone to evening church, and Mrs. John was left 
with her boy alone. 

He had been telling her the substance of his con- 
versation with the rector, and now, curled up on the 
low wooden seat, his small legs crossed underneath 
him, he was gazing dreamily out into the sweet- 
scented garden. The bees were droning and the 
gnats humming among the tall hollyhocks and crim- 
son and white roses close by, the birds were already 
twittering their last good-nights to one another, 

33 


Teddy^s Button 

and a soft, peaceful spell seemed to be falling on all 
around. 

I feel,” he said presently, as he gazed up into the 
still blue sky, ''as if God is waiting for me, mother.” 

Mrs. John did not answer. He added quickly, 
" When did you enlist, mother ; long, long ago ? ” 

"Yes, darling; just before I married your father.” 

" And when did father enlist ? When he was a 
little boy like me?” 

" Not till he was a grown man. He often used to 
say he wished he had given his heart to God when he 
was younger.” 

" I suppose God will take little soldiers. Do you 
think I shall be the youngest He has?” 

"No, darling; He has many brave little soldiers 
younger than you.” 

Another long silence, then a deep-drawn sigh from 
Teddy. 

" I feel I have very big thoughts to-night, mother, 
and I get so crowded thinking. Will you read to me 
before I go to bed ? ” 

Mrs. John pressed her lips on the curly head so 
near her. 

" My boy, I am so glad for you to have these 
thoughts. Mother has so often prayed that you may 
be one of Christ’s little soldiers and servants! Now, 
what shall I read? ” 

" Read me about the three men and the burning 
fiery furnace.” 

And the young mother took her Bible in hand, and, 


34 


A Recfuitingf Serg^eant 

drawing her boy close to her till his little head rested 
against her shoulder, read him the story he wished. 

Later on, as she tucked him up in bed and was giv- 
ing him a kiss, he clasped his arms round her neck and 
whispered, I think I’m going to do it quite by myself 
to-morrow.’* 


35 


IV 


ENLISTING FOR LIFE 

The village children were swarming out of school 
the next afternoon. The heat and confinement of the 
crowded school-room had not lessened the superabun- 
dance of energy and high spirits among them, and the 
boys soon congregated on the green, bent on a game 
of cricket. 

‘^Where’s Teddy?” ” Teddy Platt!” Young 
Ted, where’s he got to?” ” Fetch Teddy!” This 
was the general cry, but Teddy was nowhere to be 
seen. 

” Has he been kept in?” queried one. 

” Likely enough. He’s up in the clouds to-day.” 

“Oh, ain’t he just! Why, I offered him half such 
a huge apple, — my! it was a beauty, — and his eyes 
sort o’ wandered away f om it as if it had been a piece 
of mud! ‘ Thanks,’ says he, * I’ll have a bite to-mor- 
rer — not to-day.’ ” 

“ And teacher was down on him sharp, too,” put in 
another eager voice. “ He answered all the ’rithmetic 
wrong, and he said forty soldiers made a rood ! And 
36 


Enlistingf for Life 

teacher says, * Is your head good for nothing but sol- 
diers? ’ And Ted he got as red as fire and says, " It’s 
full of them to-day, sir ; ’ and teacher said, ' Go down 
to the bottom of the class till you can empty it of 
them, then, and tell me when you’ve done it’ And 
when Ted comes next to me I says, ‘ Is your button 
lost, old chap, that you’re in such a stew?’ And he 
says, ' No, the button is all right, but I’m thinkin’ how 
to enlist’ ” 

He’ll go for a drummer-boy as soon as he’s big 
enough, and I’ll go with him!” cried Carrots. 

“ Oh, come on,” shouted one of the impatient ones; 

if Ted’s not here let us begin without him.” 

And Teddy’s delinquencies at school were soon for- 
gotten in the excitement of the game. 

He had not been kept in, but had slipped away the 
minute school was over, and was soon dodging in and 
out of the thick, overhanging trees along the edge of 
his favorite stream. His little feet sped swiftly along, 
and as he ran he talked in a whisper to himself, which 
was his way when anything special was weighing on 
his mind: I’ll go right into the wood and get under 
a thick tree. I won’t let a squirrel see me, nor even 
a rabbit. I must be quite quiet, and it must be like 
church, and I sha’n’t come away till I’ve done it.” 

Into the wood he went, but he was hard to satisfy ; 
roaming here and there, peeping round corners, and 
thrusting his curly head in among the bushes, it was 
fully half an hour before he chose his spot. 

It was a secluded little nook under an old oak-tree, 

37 


Teddy Button 


where the moss grew thick and green, and bushes of 
all sorts and sizes formed a natural bower round the 
gnarled trunk. In front of this tree Teddy stood, and 
then, half shyly, half reverently, he took off his cap 
and laid it on the ground. Looking up through the 
veil of green leaves above him to the sunny blue sky 
beyond, he stood with clasped hands and parted lips 
for a moment or two in perfect silence. The soft wind 
played gently with his curls and rustled among the 
leafy boughs overhead, and in the distance the birds’ 
sweet voices were the only sounds that met his ears. 
As the boy’s eyes came back to earth they seemed to 
have reflected in them something of the bright sun- 
shine above, and then down on his knees he dropped. 
Placing his little clasped hands against the old trunk 
in front of him, and bending his golden head till it 
rested likewise against the tree, Teddy prayed aloud, 
slowly and with frequent pauses : 

O God! here I am. Have You been waiting for 
me? I’ve come to enlist. And, please, I forget all 
Mr. Upton told me to say; but will You forgive me 
my sins, and write my name down in Your book in 
heaven? Edward James Platt is my name. I’ve 
come to be Your soldier for ever and ever. Will You 
please keep me always? I never want to go back from 
being Your soldier. Make me fight a grand fight, and 
help me to hold Your colors up well ; and, please, God, 
will You tell father I’ve enlisted this afternoon? Mr. 
Upton said You would take me. I thank You for let- 
ting Jesus die for me, and I’m very sorry I haven’t 
38 


Enlistingf for Life 

belonged to His army before, but I didn’t quite un- 
derstand that He wanted me. Help me to be a good 
boy; for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.” 

A child’s prayer, but it was prayed with a child’s 
strong faith, and as Teddy rose to his feet he had the 
assurance that God had accepted him. That scene in 
the wood when he dedicated himself to the service of 
the King of kings would be stamped on his memory 
as long as he lived. And now that the deed was done, 
a great load seemed to be lifted off his mind. He 
came into the midst of the boys on the green a short 
time afterward with a radiant face, and took his share 
in fielding, bowling, and batting with such a vigor and 
will that he proved himself the hero of the hour. 
Later in the evening he wandered into the dairy, 
where his mother was busy, and asked her if he could 
go and see the rector. 

“ What for, son? ” 

He asked me to come. Is it too late, do you 
think? I should like to go to-night.” 

Mrs. John looked down upon the eager little face 
lifted to hers. 

“ Run away, then, but don’t stay long.” 

And so it was that for the second time that week 
Teddy was a visitor at the rectory. 

''Please, sir. I’ve done it!” he exclaimed breath- 
lessly, as soon as he was ushered into the presence of 
the rector. 

" Eh? What have you been doing? ” 

And Mr. Upton roused himself from a reverie into 

39 


Teddy Button 


which he had fallen as he sat at his study window and 
watched his favorite beehives. Then, noting the dis- 
appointed look on the child’s face, and recognizing who 
it was, he added briskly, “ Ah! it is Teddy Platt, is it? 
And so you’ve done it, have you? Thank God! Yes, 
I remember all about it; you’re a fresh recruit.” 

Teddy’s eyes glistened. “ I enlisted this afternoon, 
sir.” 

“ For life, did you ? No short-service system with 
God!” 

Mr. Upton had at one time been chaplain to troops 
abroad, and it was his knowledge of military matters 
that so attracted the boy. 

‘‘ Yes, for life, sir.” 

May God keep you true to Him, my boy, in life 
and in death.” 

There was a pause ; then Teddy said eagerly. 
Please, sir, you said you would show me one of the 
enemies I have got to fight.” 

“ Ah ! did I ? One of the many — which one, I 
wonder? ” 

A real live one, you said.” 

“Yes, I remember. Come this way.” 

He led the child into his drawing-room in front of 
a large mirror reaching down to the ground, and told 
him to find his enemy there. 

“Why, it’s only myself!” Teddy said in a disap- 
pointed tone, though there was wonder in his eyes. 

“That’s it; yourself — small Teddy Platt — is your 
worst enemy, and the older you live the more you 

40 


Enlistingf for Life 


will discover what a very formidable and mighty en- 
emy he is.” 

“Please, sir, I don’t understand.” 

“ Sit down here by me and let me try to explain it 
to you. If you are going to try to serve the Lord 
Jesus Christ you will find that you will have two Ted- 
dies to deal with — a good one and a bad one. The 
bad one is your enemy. Now, you told me you were 
angry with that little girl. Are you angry still?” 

“ I’ve forgotten all about her. I — I don’t love her.” 

“ The bad Teddy in you doesn’t like her, but the 
good Teddy will. Now you must fight against the 
bad Teddy and overcome him. Jesus will help you ; 
you can’t fight without Him.” 

“ I think I know,” said Teddy, thoughtfully. “ Last 
week some fellows said, ‘ Come and get some apples 
from the Park orchard.’ I wanted to dreadful; that 
was my bad self. But I thought it would be stealing, 
and I didn’t go; that was my good self, wasn’t it?” 

“Quite right! Keep close to your Captain. Our 
Officer always leads, and remember — ‘Forward! no 
quarter to the enemy ! ’ ” 

Then, gazing abstractedly out into the garden, Mr. 
Upton added as if to himself, “ ‘ But I see another law 
in my members, warring against the law of my mind, 
and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which 
is in my members. . . . Who shall deliver me from 
the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve 
the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.’ ” 

41 


Teddy Button 


The next day when at dinner, for it was generally 
at meal-times Teddy chose to make his observations, 
he looked round the table appealingly. 

“ What’s the very ugliest name that could be given 
a boy ? ” 

Sakes alive ! ” ejaculated his grandmother. “ And 
who may you be wanting to christen? ” 

“ It isn’t for a baby ; a boy about as old as me. 
What do you think an ugly name? ” 

I don’t think any name is very ugly,” his mother 
said. “ If you like a person their name always seems 
to fit. I knew two boys named Tobiah and Eli. I 
didn’t like the names at first, though they are Bible 
ones, but when I got to know and like the boys I liked 
the names.” 

“ I want a much more hideous name,” asserted 
Teddy; “some name that would describe a very 
wicked person.” 

“ I hope you are not going to call any one by it,” 
observed his grandmother, suspiciously. 

Teddy lifted his blue eyes up to her solemnly. “ I 
expect I’ll find one for myself,” he said, and nothing 
more could be got out of him. 

After dinner, a half-holiday having been given the 
school-children, Teddy stole out to the woods. When 
out of sight he began a brisk conversation with him- 
self, as was his wont, and it may give us an insight 
into his busy* brain if we listen. 

“ Blacky might do, or Goggles, or Grubby, or Nig- 
ger, or Toad. I want to have some name, else I 

42 


Enlisting for Life 


sha’n’t be able to talk to him so well. I wish mother 
had helped me ; it’s very differcult. I can’t seem to 
think of a name quite ugly enough. I expect p’r’aps 
Mr. Upton could tell me. I’ll wait and ask him. I 
hope I sha’n’t have to wait long, for I want it all set- 
tled, so that I can begin to fight properly with him. 
Now I’ve got to find Nancy. Mr. Upton said I was 
to be friends with her, and I’ve got to hold up my 
banner of love over her. I hope she’ll like it. She’s 
a horrid — aha, that’s my enemy just going to speak! 
A horrid girl, you were going to say, were you ? 
Now you just get out. Nancy is a very nice girl — at 
least, she soon will be. I’ll try and think her nice, I 
will. I’ve got to fight you, enemy, if you say such 
things. Why, I do ’dare, there she is climbing that 
tree!” 

Teddy’s conversation came to an end, and he stared 
with open mouth and eyes at the nimble way Nancy 
was climbing up an old beech-tree. He gave a shrill 
whistle, which made the little girl look round. Not a 
bit disconcerted was she. 

Aha, it’s the stupid little button-boy! You can’t 
catch me! ” 

It was a challenge. Instantly Teddy stripped off 
his jacket and darted to the tree. She had got a good 
start, and even he caught his breath in wonder at her 
rapid ascent and the fearless way in which she seemed 
to plant her small feet on the most fragile-looking 
branches. Up they went, panting with the exercise, 
but at length she could go no farther, and seating her- 

43 


Teddy's Button 

self on a comfortable bough she looked mischievously 
down at him. 

“You couldn’t catch me; you don’t know how to 
climb ! My father taught me. I can go up the rig- 
ging as far as any sailor boy, and this is my ship, but 
I’ll let you sit down by me if you behave yourself.” 

Teddy swung himself across a bough opposite her 
and was silent for a moment. Both children were try- 
ing to recover their breath, and Teddy was considering 
how to make peace. He did it in his own quaint fashion. 

“ I think we’re pretty close to heaven,” he remarked 
presently, lifting his soft blue eyes to the clear sky 
above. “ I wonder if that’s the reason birds in their 
nests agree? The angels can’t like to hear quallering 
so close to them.” 

“ I’m not going to quarrel, and you didn’t say that 
word right.” 

“ What word ? ” 

“ Quarrering.” And Nancy’s tone was emphatic, 
though a doubt stole into her own mind as to whether 
her pronunciation was correct. But Teddy was too 
intent upon pulling something out of his pocket to no- 
tice her correction. He slowly unrolled a large white 
pocket-handkerchief, tied it carefully to a twig which 
he broke off from an adjoining branch, and then held 
it up in front of her. 

“ I did it myself this morning,” he said with pride. 
“ I asked Uncle Jake for one of his best handkerchiefs. 
He gave it to me last night, and I did it with a pen 
and ink before breakfast. Can you read it? ” 

44 


Enlisting; for Life 

Nancy looked at the straggling, uneven black letters 
that occupied the whole width across. 

'‘Love?" she said curiously. “What does that 
mean? " 

“ It’s my banner of love that I’m going to carry for 
my Captain. It means I’ve got to love even you." 

Nancy’s red lips pouted. “ I don’t want you to 
love me," she said. 

“ I’ve got to do it.” 

“ How are you going to do it?" 

“ I’m — I’m not quite sure. I’m never going to be 
angry with you. And it’s very hard " — here a deep- 
drawn sigh broke from him — “ it’s very hard, but I’ve 
got to tell you I’m sorry I wouldn’t let you cross the 
bridge first and I’m sorry I said I hated you in church." 

Nancy’s bright dark eyes peered inquisitively into 
the dreamy blue ones opposite her. 

“ Are you really sorry ? ’’ she said. 

“ I think I am ; at least, part of me is. My enemy 
isn’t, but I am." 

This was beyond Nancy’s comprehension. 

“ And you’ll never get angry or set those horrid 
boys at me any more ? " 

“ No, I never will." 

Here a big, rosy-cheeked apple was produced has- 
tily out of the other pocket, and presented as a peace- 
offering. 

It was taken in silence ; then as Nancy’s white little 
teeth met in it she said, with one of her beaming 
smiles, “ And have I got to love you ? ’’ 


45 


Tcddy^s Button 

“ I think you had better, because it will make it 
easier.” 

“ Well, I will, then, if you’ll do one thing.” 

“ What is it? ” 

Give me that old button of yours.” 

Teddy fairly gasped at this audacity. 

'‘Give you father’s button?” he cried. “Never, 
never, never! I’d rather be shot dead, or drownded 
dead, or hung dead, or chopped into little tiny bits! 
I’ll 7iever give it up! It’s going to be on my coats 
and waistcoats till I’m a hundred, and then it will be 
buried in my grave with me. Suppose I lost my but- 
ton, do you know what I would do? ” 

Nancy gazed at the young orator with a little awe. 

“No,” she said; “what?” 

“ I would drop down and die, my heart would burst 
and break ; and if I couldn’t die very quick I wouldn’t 
eat or drink nothing, but I’d go sadly to my grave and 
lay my head down, and the next morning you would 
find me stiff and cold, with my glassy eyes staring up 
at the sky, like an old dog I read about.” 

Teddy’s tone was so intensely tragic that Nancy was 
silent. At last she said, “ I’ll never love you proper 
till you give it to me.” 

“Will you like me a little instead?” 

“ I might do that,” she replied reluctantly. 

“ And you won’t never say you don’t believe father’s 
story ? ” 

“ I aren’t going to promise.” 

Then as the very last bite was taken of the apple 

46 


Enlistmgf for Life 

she added, ” Fll hear some more of your stories first. 
I want to hear one now. Sally White told me at 
school you know all about fairies.” 

Teddy nodded impressively, then said slowly, '' I 
make believe I do, but I don’t make believe father’s 
story.” 

” Tell me a story now.” 

Teddy clasped his hands round a bough, and with 
knitted brows considered. Then he looked up and 
the light sparkled in his eyes. 

” Shall I tell you about when I went into an oak- 
tree, and found a little door leading down some steps 
that took me to the goblins’ cave?” 

This sounded enchanting, and Nancy eagerly pre- 
pared herself to listen. Such a story was then poured 
out that it held her spellbound : goblins, elves, and 
fairies, underground glories, thrilling adventures and 
escapes. Was it any wonder that with such a gift for 
story-telling Teddy was the king of the village? It 
came to an end at last, and Nancy drew a long breath 
of relief and content when she heard the concluding 
sentence : And I quickly opened the little door, and 
there I was outside the oak and safe in the wood again.” 

Button-boy, I do like you,” she asserted, with a 
quick little nod of her head. Will you tell me an- 
other story soon? ” 

“ P’r’aps I will,” said Teddy, feeling a little elated 
that he was gaining supremacy over her, “but I’m 
going home now. I only came out to have a think 
and to make friends with you.” 


47 


Teddy^s Button 


'' What made you come and make it up? ’’ the little 
maiden asked, as after a scramble down they stood at 
the foot of the tree. You said something about your 
Captain; who is He?” 

"‘Jesus Christ,” Teddy replied reverently, “ and His 
banner is love, so I have to love everybody, whether 
I like them or not.” 

“Why?” 

“ Because He wants me to, and Fm one of His sol- 
diers now.” 

“ Has Jesus any sailors? ” 

The question was put suddenly, and the answer was 
given with a slight air of superiority : “ No ; only sol- 
diers He has.” 

“ Then I don’t want to belong to Him. I believe 
He has sailors just as well as soldiers, only you’re not 
telling true.” 

Her tone was getting wrathful, but Teddy shook 
his head solemnly. “ Fm sure there’s nothing about 
Jesus’ sailors in the Bible, but Fll ask mother, and 
then Fll tell you. I must go home now. Good-by. 
We’re going to be friends? ” 

“Yes, we’re going to be friends,” she repeated, and 
then away they scampered in different directions, 
Nancy calling out, like a true little woman, “ But I 
sha’n’t really love you till you give me your button.” 


48 


V 


FIRST VICTORIES 

'' Please, sir, may I speak to you ? ” 

Mr. Upton was coming out of church after a choir 
practice when Teddy accosted him. He smiled when 
he saw the boy. “ You may walk with me home and 
speak to me as much as you like.” 

And so they sauntered up the shady lane, the old 
rector with his head bent and his hands crossed behind 
him, and the boy all eager excitement and motion, 
with suppressed importance in his tone. 

“ I want you to give me a name for my enemy, 
please, sir.” 

Mr. Upton looked amused. '' Have you had any 
battles with him yet?” 

I think I had one yesterday. May I tell you ? 
Granny was very angry with me because I had made 
Uncle Jake’s best handkerchief into a banner of love. 
I didn’t really think it was naughty. I wrote ‘ Love ’ 
in ink right across it ; and I took such pains, for I 
wanted to show it to Nancy. And when I got home 
granny was so angry that she took me by the collar 

49 


Teddy^s Button 


and she locked me into the back kitchen ; and mother 
was out, and I cried, I was so miserable. Granny said 
I would come to the workhouse ; she called me the 
wickedest, mischievoust boy she’d ever seen, and said 
she would like to give me a good whipping. And at 
last I got tired of being miserable, and I looked about, 
and I saw the window was partly open, so I climbed 
up; and then I thought I would jump out and run 
away across the fields till mother came home. And 
I was very happy then, and I jumped right out, and 
then I remembered, but I didn’t want to go back 
again.” 

"" And then the fight began,” suggested the rector, 
as the boy paused. 

Teddy nodded. I asked God to drive my enemy 
away, but I was an awful long time thinking it out. 
Is thinking fighting?” 

“ Very often it is.” 

“ I did fight hard, then ; and I climbed in again. 
Was that being a soldier?” 

” Yes, my boy.” 

” And granny let me out soon after; and I kissed 
her and said I was sorry ; but I told her how nearly I 
had run away, and asked her to see that the window 
was locked next time, so that I shouldn’t have to fight 
so hard.” 

” You will have plenty of fighting. Don’t shirk the 
hottest part of the field; that isn’t being brave.” 

Will you give me a horrid, ugly name, please, sir? ” 

“ I thought your enemy’s name was Teddy.” 

50 


First Victories 


No, that’s mine ; I must have a name for him — a 
different one, you know.” 

“ How do you like Ego or Ipse?” 

What funny names! I think I like Ipse best. I’ll 
call him Ipse, shall I ? ” 

But Mr. Upton’s thoughts were far away by this 
time, and presently he said, as if to himself, “ ' The 
last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.’ ^ Nay, 
in all these things we are more than conquerors 
through Him that loved us.’ It is a fight with certain 
victory ahead ; then why do we fail ? ” 

Shall I fail?” questioned a soft voice by his side. 

Without Me ye can do nothing.’ That’s our 
Captain’s Word; if you fight without Him you are 
done for.” 

I think I shall sometimes let Ipse have his way. 
Will that be deserting to the enemy? ” 

It will be sure and certain defeat.” 

But then, of course, my Captain won’t let me be 
beaten if I stick close to Him.” 

And so they talked, a strange couple; but the 
younger of them had a faith which the elder might 
envy, and a grasp of the unseen that the ripest saint 
could not surpass. 

Not long after this Teddy and his school-fellows 
were having a delightful afternoon in the woods. It 
was Saturday afternoon, and they were playing their 
favorite war game, Teddy, of course, being prime in- 
stigator of the whole affair. A few of the more ad- 
venturous girls had joined them, Nancy among them. 

51 


Teddy^s Button 


Her respect for Teddy was gradually increasing, 
though nothing seemed to quench her self-assertion 
and independence of thought and action. At length 
Teddy announced his intention of going off on an ex- 
pedition as a scout, and on Nancy’s insisting that she 
should come too, the two children started, made their 
way out of the wood and down to the banks of the 
stream, which soon joined the river. 

“ What have we to do? ” asked Nancy. 

“ It’s great fun. You see every one we meet is an 
enemy, and we have to get past them without them 
seeing us ; we must crawl through the long grass, or 
we must climb a tree, or get through the bushes — all 
kinds of adventures we have.” 

And if we don’t meet anybody?” 

That’s why I came down this way ; there are al- 
ways a lot of people fishing in the river. Now look 
out; don’t you talk loud, and step softly. Just think 
that the first person who sees us will shoot us dead.” 

But they won’t.” 

“You must make believe they will.” 

Teddy’s tone was stern, and Nancy was too occu- 
pied in holding her hat on her head as they crept 
through some low bushes to advance any more skep- 
tical opinions. 

And then suddenly, a short time after, they came 
upon a fisherman. It was only a burly farmer, who 
was evidently making a day of it, for he sat under the 
shade of a tree with the remnants of a substantial 
lunch around him; his fishing-rod was in his hand, 

52 


First Victories 


but the line was out of the water, and he, with head 
thrown back and mouth wide open, was fast asleep. 

''Hush!” said Teddy, in an excited whisper. "If 
he wakes all is up with us ; now let’s get past him on 
tiptoe.” 

This was accomplished safely; but, having passed 
him, Teddy stood still and the spirit of mischief seized 
hold of him. Turning to Nancy, he said with spar- 
kling eyes, " What fun to take him prisoner and tie him 
up to the tree with his own fishing-line! He’s an 
enemy; I really think it’s our duty to do it. You 
stay here and watch me.” 

Deftly and quickly Teddy set to work, but when he 
had once passed the line round the farmer’s body and 
the tree he had no difficulty in finishing the work he 
had begun. Dancing like an elf with the line in his 
hand, he spun round and round the tree till the line 
was wound round to its very last extremity, and the 
farmer looked like some big bluebottle fly entangled 
in the fine meshes of a spider’s web. Still he slept on, 
and with a delighted chuckle Teddy sped back to his 
little companion. Her eyes were dancing with mirth, 
and she clapped her hands at the successful exploit. 

" He’ll wake up and won’t be able to get away. 
What fun! how I should like to see him!” 

" Come on quick. He’s Farmer Green, and he’s an 
awful angry man ; he gave Sam such a thrashing for 
tying an old saucepan to one of his pigs’ tails. He 
won’t know who has done it, and I did tie the knots 
awful tight.” 


53 


Teddy Button 


Away they ran ; but they had not proceeded far 
before Teddy came to a standstill and all the saucy 
sparkle died out of his eyes. 

What’s the matter?” asked Nancy. ” Have you 
got a pain? ” 

I’m afraid I’m going to have a fight with Ipse.” 

The words were uttered almost in a whisper, and 
Nancy looked on with wonder. 

It isn’t right,” he said after a long pause. ” I do 
want — at least, Ipse wants — to leave him there aw- 
fully, but mother would say it was very naughty, and 
I think — I think my Captain doesn’t like it. I shall 
have to go back and undo him.” 

“Oh, you mustn’t!” cried Nancy. “You’ll wake 
him up, and then you’ll catch it! Let him undo him- 
self.” 

Teddy shook his head and then stole softly back 
to the tree, Nancy following him at a respectful dis- 
tance. 

It seemed a harder business to untie the knots than 
to tie them, but at length it was done and the unwind- 
ing process began. Alas! Farmer Green’s nap was 
over, and with a hasty start he was roused to the full 
sense of his faculties. When he discovered his condi- 
tion he swore a round oath, and turned upon Teddy in 
great wrath as he vainly tried to extricate himself. 

“ Please, sir,” said Teddy, nothing daunted, “ if you 
keep still I shall undo you very soon, and I won’t break 
your line if I can help it.” 

“You young scoundrel! how dare you show your 


54 


First Victories 


face after such an audacious piece of impudence? 
You’re the plague of the parish, and a good thrashing 
is what you will get, as my name’s Jonathan Green! ” 
Teddy’s face was hot and red, and the spectacle of 
him trying to unwind the line from the struggling 
and exasperated farmer was so irresistibly comic to 
Nancy that she burst out laughing. 

Jonathan Green was soon on his feet again, and 
seizing hold of Teddy by the collar, shook him like a 
terrier would shake a rat ; then, without leaving go of 
him, he pulled out a piece of cord from his coat 
pocket. 

Now I’ll teach you a lesson, youngster, that you 
won’t forget. It’s lucky I’ve got this bit o’ rope.” 

And in another few minutes he had bound the boy 
securely to the tree, tying his hands together with his 
handkerchief ; then, as Nancy stepped forward, indig- 
nant at this severe treatment, he turned upon her. 

‘‘There are two of you, are there? Well, you shall 
share the same fate till I think fit to release you. I’ll 
teach you to stop playing such impish tricks on decent 
folk.” 

“ You’re the wickedest man that’s living. I’m sure 1 ” 
cried Nancy, wrathfully. “ Why, he was undoing you 
when you woke up, which was very kind of him. I 
wish he’d left you tied up, I do! ” 

But Farmer Green, with a grim smile of satisfaction, 
soon settled her in the same fashion as he had done 
the boy; and then, picking up his fishing-basket, 
strode away, calling out, ‘‘Ye’ll bide there my time, 

55 


Teddy's Button 

ye young limbs of mischief! It’s only serving like ye 
serve 1 ” 

“Button-boy, did he hurt you?” asked Nancy, 
anxiously, for all this time Teddy had not said a word. 

He turned his head and looked at her. “ I feel 
shooken up dreadful, he’s so awful strong; but I’m 
not very hurt, only I’m sorry, and I’ve been telling 
my Captain about it, and asking Him to forgive me.” 

“ Shall we stay here all the evening and all the 
night? ” 

“Oh no; he’ll come and let us go soon. It isn’t 
fair on you, for you didn’t do anything.” 

“ I laughed at him and I wanted you to leave him 
tied up. But I don’t care; it doesn’t hurt. You 
haven’t told me ever what I asked you about Jesus’ 
sailors. Tell me now, because I want to belong to 
your Captain, and I’m not going to be a soldier.” 

“ I did ask mother, and she said sailors were soldiers 
— they were sea soldiers. You’ll have to be a soldier, 
I expect.” 

“ Sailors fight, I know they do. Grandfather read 
me about Nelson the other evening, and showed me a 
picture of sailors cutting the enemy’s arms off as they 
tried to scramble on board ship. I sha’n’t never 
change to soldiers. Sailors are much nicer. And if 
sailors fight I can be a sailor for Jesus.” 

Their conversation was interrupted by voices and 
steps approaching, and in another moment two ladies 
and a gentleman appeared, evidently going home after 
a fishing excursion. 

56 


First Victories 


The path led past the tree, and they stopped in as- 
tonishment at the sight of the two children. 

Teddy was the first to speak. He recognized the 
new-comers to be the squire, Colonel Graham, and his 
wife, with a visitor staying with them. 

“Please, sir, will you undo us?” he asked appeal- 
ingly. 

The colonel laughed heartily. “Ah! young fellow, 
you’re caught, are you? Lady Helen, this is one of 
the young hopefuls in our village — I have been told 
the ringleader in every bit of mischief set going! You 
wouldn’t think it to look at him, would you?” 

“ What an angel’s face ! ” said that lady, admiringly. 
“And who is the little girl? She looks a regular 
little gipsy! ” 

Neither of the children appreciated these remarks, 
but the colonel good-naturedly put down his fish- 
ing-basket and cut the piece of rope that bound 
them. 

“ Now then, youngster,” he said, “ speak up and 
tell us who bound you in this fashion, and what have 
you been doing to merit such punishment? ” 

Having got his hands free, Teddy stood up bravely 
and told the story briefly and clearly, to the great 
amusement of his hearers. 

“ And he would never have been caught if he hadn’t 
gone back to undo him,” put in Nancy; “so he 
oughtn’t to have been punished at all.” 

“What made you go back, my boy?” asked Mrs. 
Graham, gently. 


57 


Teddy^s Button 

The color rose in Teddy’s cheeks, but he never 
hesitated to speak the truth. 

“ I went back when I remembered it was wrong to 
have done it,” he said simply. 

But you are not such a paragon of goodness gen- 
erally,” said the colonel. ” Wasn’t it you and some 
others who scared our dairymaid into fits one night 
last winter, by playing pranks after dark outside the 
dairy window? ” 

“Yes, sir,” said Teddy, humbly. 

“ And why didn’t you run away when the old man 
woke?” asked Lady Helen. 

“ I never run away from anybody,” said Teddy, his 
head more erect than ever. “ I’m a soldier’s son.” 

“ Capital, my boy ; and so your father is a soldier. 
What regiment? ” 

“ He’s dead, sir. May I tell you father’s story?” 

“Oh, ah! I remember now, though I’m not sure 
that I recollect the details,” said the colonel, musingly. 
“Your father was John Platt, who enlisted in one of 
the line regiments — the twenty-fourth, wasn’t it? Tell 
us the story by all means.” 

Teddy obeyed delightedly, not seeing, in the in- 
terest of his tale, how keenly he was being watched 
by the ladies. He told it, as he always did, with 
enthusiastic effect, and when he offered to show the 
ladies his button they were charmed with him. The 
colonel patted him on his head as he left, saying, 
“ Keep your father’s spirit in you, my lad, and you’ll 
live to do something great yet! ” 

58 


First Victories 


I should like to have him as a page boy/’ said 
Lady Helen, as they walked away. What a sensi- 
tive, refined little face it is ! ” 

Too good to be spoiled by house service,” said 
Mr. Graham. ” His mother is a superior young woman 
with a very good education, and the Platts are highly 
respected about here.” 

The children ran back to their playfellows consider- 
ably sobered by their experience, and Teddy very 
soon made his way home and told his mother all that 
had befallen him. 

” It’s dreadful differcult to remember in time, 
mother. I’m not a very good soldier, am I? Do 
you think I ought to love old Farmer Green? If you 
won’t tell any one. I’ve been having a talk with Ipse, 
— he’s my enemy Mr. Upton told me about, — and he 
— he hates Farmer Green ; but I tell him the banner 
is ' love,’ and we must try to love him ; and how can 
I show him I love him, mother? ” 

“ I think you must wait a little, son. Don’t do any- 
thing just yet, but try and not have angry thoughts 
about him. You knovyr it was very naughty of you to 
act so. I am not a bit surprised that he lost his tem- 
per over it.” 

“ I’ll never tie up anybody again, mother, never! ” 


59 


THE REDCOATS 


Mother, grandmother, some soldiers are coming 
here! ” 

Teddy tore into the house one morning after school 
with this announcement, and his face was radiant with 
delight. His mother was laying the cloth for dinner, 
and old Mrs. Platt was busy dishing up some potatoes. 

“ Who told you ? ” asked the latter. 

I saw one — a real live soldier, a corporal with two 
gold stripes on his red coat, and such white gloves — 
and I went up to him and talked to him.” 

** Certainly modesty is lacking with you,” observed 
Mrs. Platt, dryly. 

” Shyness is,” said Mrs. John, rather quickly; “ but 
he doesn’t show forwardness as a rule.” 

” Sam and Carrots and lots of the boys were with 
me, mother. He told us that he and one or two more 
had come on to get billets — that’s the word — billets 
for the regiment that was marching through on their 
way to Wales ; and we shall see them come marching 
through the village in a few days. He said most of 
them were going to put up in the town, but twenty 
6o 


The Redcoats 


were coming to the Hare and Hounds, and they’re 
going to sleep there. He’s such a nice man, mother; 
he’s only going to sleep here to-night, and then he’s 
going on to-morrow to get some more billets ready 
in the next town he comes to. Couldn’t he come to 
tea this afternoon ? Do let me ask him, granny ! ” 

Mrs. Platt laughed not ill-humoredly. You would 
have us take in any scoundrel, provided he wore a red 
coat, wouldn’t you?” 

“Soldiers are never scoundrels! ” asserted Teddy, 
with hot indignation. 

“ Do you know all the soldiers in the army, then? ” 
said his grandmother. 

“ I dare say he wouldn’t care to come to tea with 
strangers, son,” put in Mrs. John, gently. 

“ I’m sure he would, for he doesn’t like the Hare 
and Hounds. He said he was a teetotaler.” 

“ Come, that sounds good,” Mrs. Platt remarked. 
“Well, you can ask him in for your father’s sake.” 

Not much dinner could Teddy eat that day, and his 
lessons at school had never seemed so irksome to him ; 
but they were over at last, and he tore off in search of 
his new friend, finding him at length sitting under an 
old yew-tree just outside the churchyard. 

“Granny says will you come to tea with us?” he 
asked breathlessly as he came up to him. 

The corporal looked up. He was a fine-looking 
young man with a frank, bright face, and he was read- 
ing a well-worn Bible, which he put carefully in his 
pocket before he rose to his feet. 

6i 


Tcddy^s Button 


“That’s very kind of your granny,” he said, “and 
I’ll come with pleasure. I’m out of it at the Hare and 
Hounds.” 

Teddy’s quick eyes had spied the Bible. 

“ Do you like the Bible? ” he asked gravely. 

“ It’s my order-book,” the corporal said, with a smile, 
“ and my best friend in the world.” 

“ What’s an order-book? ” 

“ It gives you your daily commands — just what you 
are to do and where you’re to go. My Captain writes 
my orders down in His Word for me.” 

“ He’s my Captain too,” said Teddy, with glistening 
eyes. “You mean Jesus, don’t you? I’ve enlisted in 
His army and I’m one of His soldiers.” 

“ Shake hands, little brother, then ; we’re comrades, 
after all.” 

“Are all soldiers in Jesus Christ’s army?” asked 
Teddy, as they walked away together. 

The corporal shook his head sadly. “ Hardly any 
of them in my regiment,” he said. “ We’re nearly 
seven hundred strong, and only six men besides my- 
self, as far as I can tell, belong to the Lord. A year 
ago I was an awful blackguard myself. I drank dread- 
fully and couldn’t give the drink up, but that’s all a 
thing of the past. Since I have belonged to the Lord 
He keeps me from it and many other bad habits. I’ll 
own I fairly dreaded coming to this bit of duty. The 
sight and smell of the beer is very strong to a man that 
has been such a slave to it, and I must be quartered 
in inns the whole way along,” 

62 


The Redcoats 


“You’ll have to fight, like Mr. Upton told me to, 
won’t you ? ” said Teddy. “ But if our Captain is with 
us, Mr. Upton says, we sha’n’t be beaten.” 

“ No,” said the corporal, a light coming into his 
eyes; “we shall be more than conquerors.” 

Then, after a pause, he said, “ It’s very considerate 
of your granny to ask me to tea. I was just wishing 
that something could be done in this village for the 
men coming after me, like we had last year when we 
marched through the country for the manoeuvers. 
They gave us a free tea at several of the places we 
went through, and it kept so many from drinking. 
There’s a man coming along here who I’m terrible 
anxious about. He’s been an awful drunkard and is 
quite an old soldier; but last New Year’s day he 
signed the pledge, and he’s kept it ever since ; he’s just 
on the point of being converted, I hope. We have 
talks by the hour together, but if he’s billeted in the 
Hare and Hounds, or any other inn, for that matter, 
I don’t know what he’ll do. There’s nothing for them, 
when they come in tired, but to sit in the bar-room 
and drink. They can’t get away from it.” 

Teddy’s brow was knitted with deep thought. 

“ I didn’t know soldiers drank too much,” he said. 
“ I thought they never did anything wrong.” 

The corporal smiled. “ It isn’t many that are of 
your opinion,” he said. “ Most folks put us down as 
a bad lot.” 

That evening remained in his memory for long 
after: the sweet-scented garden, and the long, low 

63 


Teddy's Button 


kitchen, with the happy family party gathered round 
the table ; the clumsy efforts of the reticent farmer to 
make his guest feel at home, the short, pithy remarks 
made by Mrs. Platt, and the gentle, soft- voiced young 
mother, with the golden-haired boy continually asking 
quaint questions about a soldier's life — all this came 
back to him with a keen sense of pleasure in after- 
years. He was only a young fellow, after all, and was 
touched and gratified by the kindness shown to him, 
for it made him think of his own mother in her village 
home ; and when he took his leave he could hardly 
express his thanks. 

Teddy had been allowed to sit up beyond his usual 
bedtime, and as he put his little hand into the big 
brown one of the young soldier he said, “ Do you 
mind telling me your name, corporal ? ” 

Walter Saxby,” was the ready response. 

And what’s the name of the poor old soldier who 
signed the pledge on New Year’s day?” 

Tim Stokes ; he’s called ‘ Bouncer ’ by most on us.” 

“I shall remember,” said Teddy; then, turning to 
his mother and grandmother after Corporal Saxby had 
disappeared, he said solemnly, I may bring Bouncer 
to tea, mayn’t I, if I find him ? The corporal told me he 
hadn’t properly enlisted as Jesus’ soldier, but he wants 
to. Do you think Mr. Upton could get him to enlist 
while he’s here? Or could you, granny? P’r’aps he’d 
do it for you.” 

” I don’t know what that boy will come to,” said 
Mrs. Platt, later on, when Teddy was safe in bed; 

64 


The Redcoats 


'' seems to me he has more the makings of a minister 
in him than a soldier. I don’t hold with children 
being too religious; it’s forced and unnatural.” 

“ He b’ain’t too good to live,” put in Jake, slowly; 
no youngster can beat him in play.” 

“ I often wonder,” Mrs. John said thoughtfully, 
whether he will be a soldier, after all ; he is almost 
too sensitive to lead the hard, rough life so many do. 
I doubt if he could stand it.” 

He’s not wanting in pluck and manliness,” Mrs. 
Platt observed, for she always had a good word to say 
for her little grandson when he was not present. I 
found him this morning careering round the field on 
that fresh young foal, without any saddle or bridle! I 
gave him a sharp scolding, for it was kicking up its 
hind legs like mad, but h.e only looked up in my face 
and laughed. * It’s my charger, granny,’ he says, 
' and he smells the battle-field, that’s why he’s so ex- 
cited I ’ I’m sorry these soldiers are going to fill the 
place ; he thinks and talks quite enough of them as it 
is. We sha’n’t have a moment’s peace now till they’re 
gone.” 

Teddy was up very early the next morning to see 
his friend go off. He had another long conversation 
with him before wishing him good-by, and then, with 
thoughtful face, he went to school, revolving many 
plans in his active little brain, and making innumera- 
ble mistakes in his lessons in consequence. At twelve 
o’clock, when free at last, he made his way to the rectory 
and asked for Mr. Upton, who greeted him very kindly. 

65 


Teddy's Button 


“Any more troubles to tell me?” 

“ No, sir; but I want to tell you about the soldiers 
who are coming.” 

“ I have heard about them. It will be a grand time 
for you, won’t it? ” 

“ Please, sir, could you have a tea-party for them ? ” 

Mr. Upton pushed up his glasses and looked very 
bewildered. 

“ A tea-party, did you say ? ” 

“ Yes ; the corporal said a clergyman gave one hun- 
dred tea in a school-room last year, and spoke to them 
after. The corporal said it would keep them from 
drinking in the inns. He came to tea with us last 
night, but granny won’t have a lot of them, so I told 
him I’d tell you about it.” 

“ It’s rather an undertaking,” said Mr. Upton, mus- 
ingly, “ but we might do something for them. When 
are they to be here? ” 

“ In two or three days, the corporal said.” 

“ I think I might manage it. I will go and see 
Colonel Graham and find out if he will help.” 

“ I knew you would be able to do it,” said Teddy, 
beaming all over; “and p’r’aps, sir, you could tell 
some of them how to enlist, like you did me. The 
corporal said I ought to try to be a recruiting sergeant 
for my Captain, but they wouldn’t listen to me, I am 
sure. I’m going to try to enlist Nancy. I haven’t 
tried half hard enough. But she says she’ll only 
be a sailor for Jesus, not a soldier. Can she be that, 
sir?” 

66 


The Redcoats 


Mr. Upton smiled. ^^Yes, I think she can; sailors 
have to keep watch, and learn their drill, and take 
orders, and fight under their captain, just like soldiers.” 

And then Teddy went home and electrified his 
mother by telling her, with an air of great importance, 
” Mr. Upton and I are going to give the soldiers a tea- 
party when they come.” 

The days passed; Mr. Upton was as good as his 
word. A large tea was provided in the village school- 
room, Colonel and Mrs. Graham taking a hearty inter- 
est in it ; and when the soldiers came in, one hot, dusty 
afternoon, everything was ready for them. 

Teddy and others of the village children crowded, 
round the Hare and Hounds when they arrived, and 
Nancy was in the foremost of the crowd. 

I don’t think much of soldiers,” she said, her nose 
tilted up in disdain. ” They’re very dirty men, and 
covered with dust, and they’ve no band nor flags fly- 
ing, nor nothing.” 

If Teddy was disappointed in the look of his heroes 
he did not say so ; but Sam remarked, I expect 
they’ve left the band and the flags in the town ; they 
are only the lot that they can’t put up there.” 

Later in the afternoon Teddy made his way to the 
old elm outside the Hare and Hounds, where several 
of the men were resting on the wooden benches, some 
with pots of beer, and round whom some of the ad- 
miring villagers had made a little circle. 

He pushed his way in with his accustomed fearless- 


ness. 


67 


Tcddy^s Button 


“ Please, is Mr. Tim Stokes here ? ” 

The soldiers laughed and bandied a few jokes on the 
comrade alluded to. 

What do you want with him, youngster?” 

“ I want to speak to him.” 

“ I guess you’ll find him under one of the tables in 
the tap-room ; old Bouncer is pretty dry after a march 
like we’ve had to-day.” 

There was a roar of laughter at this, but Teddy did 
not understand the joke. 

I mustn’t go inside the Hare and Hounds,” he 
said ; I promised mother I never would. Will you 
fetch him out for me?” 

And turning to a good-natured-looking young fel- 
low, Teddy put his hand coaxingly on his arm. He 
looked into the boy’s fair face with a laugh and then 
a sigh, and rising to his feet said, “ All right, little 
chap. I’ll fetch him out to you.” 

He was gone some time, and Teddy improved his 
opportunity by making friends with those around him. 
It wasn’t long before he had acquainted them with the 
fact of his being a soldier’s son, and from that he 
drifted into telling the story of “ father’s button.” 
There was vociferous applause when he had finished. 

Here, youngster,” said one of the older men, hold- 
ing out his pewter pot to him, “ take a drink like a 
man; you deserve it! ” 

No, thank you,” the boy said; '"I never drink 
beer.” 

Then, as an oldish-looking soldier, with a heavy 

68 



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The Redcoats 


mustache already tinged with gray, came up to him, 
Teddy turned to him in delight. 

“ Are you Bouncer? ” 

“That’s what I’m called.” 

The man’s face was an unhappy one, and he seemed 
to be the butt of his comrades, for they poured forth 
such a volley of good-natured ridicule on his appear- 
ance that Teddy looked from one to the other in com- 
plete mystification. 

“Will you come and see my home?” the child 
asked softly. Corporal Saxby told me he thought 
you would like to come.” 

The man’s face lightened. “ Aye, that I will, if it 
ain’t fur off ; my legs are that stiff and sore I don’t 
want much walking.” 

“ It isn’t very far.” Then, as they moved off to- 
gether, Teddy slipped his little hand confidingly into 
the big one near him and continued, “ Do you know 
there’s going to be a splendid tea for you all in our 
school-room to-night? Have you heard?” 

“ Aye ; the parson was round an hour ago giving 
out tickets. There’s little to be done in a place like 
this, and we’re too tired to tramp into the town, so I 
expect there’ll be a tidy few.” 

“ The corporal came to tea at our house the other 
night. He’s a friend of yours, isn’t he?” 

“ The best friend I’ve got,” was the hearty answer. 

“ Aye, lad, there’s few of his sort in the army ; for 
one that tries to help us on a bit there’s ten that tries 
to drag us down! ” 

71 * 


Tcddy^s Button 


I suppose,” said Teddy, dreamily, ” that, after all, 
the queen’s army isn’t so nice to be in as the army I 
belong to? Does your captain help you when you’re 
in trouble? ” 

He helps us to pack drill, or C. B., or cells! ” re- 
plied Tim Stokes, with grim humor. 

This needed to be explained to Teddy, who went 
on after it was made clear to him, Ah ! my Captain 
always helps me. Mr. Upton says when I do wicked 
things and get beaten by the enemy, I must call out 
to my Captain and He will come at once and help me.” 

“ I reckon I’ve heard tell of your Captain, then, for 
that fellow Saxby is always dinning it into me ; but I 
can’t come to religion nohow; I can’t make head or 
tail of it. I tell you, youngster. I’ve been having an 
awful time lately, and I can’t keep to it. I’m certain 
sure the drink will do for me again. I can’t keep away 
from it much longer, and this march’ll see the end of 
my teetotal ways. I’m thinking.” 

“And won’t my Captain help you?” 

“ I’m not a hand at prayers and psalm-singing.” 

“ I wish you’d talk to Mr. Upton ; he made me 
enlist a short time ago, and I’ve been ever so much 
happier since I did it.” 

They were walking across the field leading to the 
farm, and as they came to the stile the soldier leaned 
heavily on it. Turning his face full on the child, he 
said determinedly, “ I’m not a-goin’ to talk to any 
Mr. Upton or no one about it. I’d as lief hear you as 
a parson. You mind me of a little brother of mine 
72 


The Redcoats 

that died ten year ago. * Tim,’ he said just afore he 
went, ‘ Tim, will you meet me in heaven ? ’ He was 
the only one I ever loved, and I’ve lived a dog’s life 
since! ” 

His eyes were moist with feeling, and for a minute 
Teddy looked at him silently in pitying wonder. Then 
he said, ‘‘ Look here. Bouncer, this is what Mr. Upton 
said to me. He told me Jesus had died for me, and 
how dared I keep from being His soldier when He 
loved me so? You know that, don’t you?” 

Aye ; so Saxby tells me ; but it don’t make no 
difference.” 

No more it didn’t to me,” continued the boy, 
eagerly, “ until I went to God and enlisted. I did it 
quite by myself in the wood. You do it too. Bouncer; 
you give yourself to God as His soldier, and He’ll take 
you and keep you.” 

I’ve been too bad ; it keeps me wakeful at nights, 
the very thinkin’ of it! ” 

“ But won’t God forgive you if you ask Him to? ” 

Saxby says so, but I don’t know. The fact is, a 
soldier can’t be a Christian in the army.” 

I don’t believe you want to be one of God’s sol- 
diers,” said Teddy, in a disappointed tone ; “ you keep 
making ’senses! ” 

There was silence ; then Tim Stokes heaved a heavy 
sigh. 

“I won’t come no farther, youngster; I ain’t in a 
mind to-day to see company, but I’ll be at the tea to- 
night.” 


73 


Teddy^s Button 


“O Bouncer! do come,” and Teddy’s eyes filled 
with tears. “ You promised you would. I do want 
you to see mother and granny ! ” 

But Tim wheeled round and strode off with some- 
thing like a sob in his throat. Teddy had little idea 
of the mighty conflict in his breast. The child’s words 
had awakened many memories, and Tim was at that 
stage now when the powers of good and evil were 
contending for his soul. 

He don’t believe I want it, for I keep making ex- 
cuses I ” muttered the poor man. ** Aye, I do ; but I 
haven’t got over the longing to be different I’d cut 
off my right hand, I do believe, if I could be as Saxby 
is. I can’t bring myself up to the point, that’s it! ” 
Meanwhile, poor little Teddy crept indoors with a 
sad face to announce to his mother the failure of his 
mission. 

“ He was nearly here, mother, just the other side 
of the hedge outside, and yet he turned back! ” 


74 


VII 


UPLIFTED AND CAST DOWN 

It was a bright, cheery gathering a few hours later. 
Mr. Upton had thrown his whole heart into the scheme, 
and had been round with his tickets to a few outlying 
inns, where more of the men were billeted, so that 
there were altogether over forty redcoats assembled. 
Mrs. John and two other neighbors were in charge of 
the tea and coffee, and Teddy and Nancy, with one or 
two other children, as a special favor, were allowed to 
help to wait on the guests. The tables were decorated 
with flowers. Meat-pies, cold beef, and ham sandwiches 
disappeared in a marvelous manner, and the cakes and 
bread and butter, with water-cress, were equally ap- 
preciated. Toward the end of the meal several ladies 
came forward and sang, and one or two part-songs 
were also given by some of the guests staying at the 
Hall. 

Now,” said Colonel Graham, in his brisk, hearty 
tones, “ before we have a few words from Mr. Upton 
I should like to tell you how glad I am to see the red- 
coats about me once more. I know your regiment 
well, for my own, the Fourth Hussars, lay with it in 

75 


Teddy Button 


Gibraltar ten years ago. I am sure you have all en- 
joyed your tea, but perhaps you do not know who was 
the instigator of the whole thing. We must thank Mr. 
Upton for his untiring zeal and energy in making ar- 
rangements; we must thank the ladies for trying to 
make the evening pleasant by their songs ; but we 
must thank a little man here, I am given to under- 
stand, for the proposal in the first instance.” 

And, to Teddy’s intense surprise, the colonel swung 
him up on the impromptu platform to receive a deafen- 
ing round of applause. 

He made a pretty picture as the light fell on his 
golden curls and sparkling blue eyes ; his cheeks were 
flushed with excitement, but he bore himself bravely 
and he held his head erect as he faced the crowded 
room. 

‘‘ He will speak to you better than I can,” the colo- 
nel added, with a smile, ” for I’m a poor speaker my- 
self. I’m the old soldier here to-night, and my fight- 
ing days are past; his are all in the future, and he 
looks forward to wear the red coat with the rest of 
you. I hope he^ll bear as brave a part in the service 
as his father did before him. Now, my boy, have you 
anything to say ? ” 

“ It will turn his head,” murmured Mrs. John to 
herself, but her mother’s heart swelled with pride as 
his clear voice rang out : 

“It wasn’t I who thought about the tea; it was 
Corporal Saxby [cheers]. I haven’t anything to say, 
unless you’d like me to tell you father’s story. I’ve 
76 


uplifted and Cast Down 

told it once to-day, but you weren’t all there. May 
I, sir?” 

“ Certainly,” was the colonel’s amused reply. 

Teddy had never had such an audience before in his 
life, but he was quite equal to the occasion. Finger- 
ing his button, he began in his usual impetuous fash- 
ion. The very eagerness for his father’s deed to be 
honored prevented him from any feelings of self-con- 
sciousness, and he carried his audience by storm. 

The ladies were delighted and touched by it, and 
Mrs. John quietly wiped some tears from her eyes. 

And then Mr. Upton got up. His dreamy manner 
in speaking was absent now, and he spoke straightly 
and forcibly of the battle to be waged with sin. 
Touching on their special difficulties and temptations, 
he told them how absolutely impossible it was for 
them to be, in their own strength, a match for the 
devil with all the powers of evil at his back, and how 
the same Saviour who died for them would keep them 
and lead them on to certain victory if they would but 
enlist in His service. Nothing could exceed the at- 
tention with which he was listened to, and the even- 
ing ended by them rising to their feet and singing the 
national anthem. Then a sergeant rose to propose a 
vote of thanks, cheers were given, and all departed, 
greatly pleased with their evening. 

Teddy slipped up to Tim Stokes, on going out. 

” Shall I see you again? ” he asked. 

I shall be busy to-morrow ; we march out at eight 
in the morning.” 


77 


Teddy's Button 


“ Oh, I shall come and see you off.” 

Tim lingered ; then laying his hand heavily on the 
boy’s fair curls, he said, “ God bless you, little chap! 
I’ve done it.” 

Teddy’s eyes lit up at once. “ Have you — really 
and truly ? ” 

He nodded. My heart’s full, and I can’t speak of 
it, but I was away near the woods there by myself be- 
fore the tea, and it’s all right with me. I only won- 
der I didn’t do it before. I wouldn’t yield, that’s the 
fact. Don’t forget to pray for me, youngster.” 

And he dashed out after his comrades, as if ashamed 
to show his emotion. 

Teddy called his mother to him when in bed that 
night. 

“Mother, I will be a soldier; I’m certain sure I 
will ; but I’m very glad I can be one of God’s soldiers 
without waiting to grow up. And I think I shall be 
a recruiting sergeant for God now ; I’m sure He wants 
lots more soldiers, doesn’t He?” 

“ Indeed He does, my boy. Now go to sleep ; you 
have had a very exciting day.” 

“ But the best of all is,” said Teddy, sleepily, “ that 
Bouncer has enlisted.” 

There was quite a crowd of villagers and children 
the next morning round the Hare and Hounds. The 
soldiers were drawn up outside, waiting for the ap- 
proach of their regiment from the town to fall in and 
march on with them. Teddy and Nancy were, of 
course, there; the little girl, in spite of her alleged 

78 


Uplifted and Cast Down 

disdain of soldiers, was delighted to be in their vicin- 
ity. Teddy could not get near his friend Bouncer, 
but he received a friendly nod from him in the dis- 
tance, and as for Bouncer’s face, it was like sunshine 
itself, a marked contrast to the day before. As the 
band was heard approaching cheers were given to the 
men now leaving, and a tall corporal, who had much 
enjoyed his tea the night before, stooped to ask of 
Nancy, who was standing close to him, ** What’s the 
name of that curly-headed youngster who got us the 
tea?” 

Nancy looked up at him mischievously. ” The but- 
ton-boy ! That’s what I call him, and I sha’n’t never 
call him anything else! ” 

Then the corporal’s voice rang out clear and loud ; 

''Three cheers for the little button-boy! ” which 
was taken up enthusiastically by the soldiers, and 
Teddy hardly knew whether he was on his head or 
heels from excitement and delight. But he had to 
pay a penalty for his prominent position. From that 
day the title of the " button-boy ” stuck to him, and 
it became his nickname in the village by all who knew 
him. 

On came the regiment, with the colors flying and 
the band playing in the most orthodox style, and 
Teddy was bitterly disappointed when the warning 
bell of school prevented him from marching along the 
road with them. 

The schoolmaster was very lenient with the boys 
that morning, or else they would have been in dire 

79 


fc- ■ ' 

Teddy's Button 

disgrace, for lessons were imperfectly learned and 
said, and never had he found it so difficult to keep 
their attention. 

But if Teddy was inattentive and careless at school, 
he was doubly troublesome at home, and for the next 
few days his mother’s fears were realized. The excite- 
ment of all that had taken place seemed to have quite 
turned his head for the time. He jumped on Kate 
Brown’s back (the hired girl) when she was carrying 
two pails of milk to the dairy, and the contents of 
both pails were spilled and wasted; he shut up a 
fighting bantam cock and the stable cat into a barn, 
and left them fighting furiously ; he locked one of the 
farm laborers in a hay-loft, and pulled away the lad- 
der, so that he was not released for hours; and he 
proved such an imp of mischief in the house that even 
his mother meditated handing him over to his uncle 
to be whipped. 

At last it came to a climax in school. He brought 
a lot of small frogs in a handkerchief, put some of 
them in the master’s desk, and amused himself at in- 
tervals by slipping the others down the backs of the 
boys seated in front of him. His corner was the most 
unruly one in the room, and while waiting for another 
class to come down he began one of his stories in a 
whisper to a most interested audience : 

“ I went to see a goblin once that I heard of. He 
lived in a tub on the sea-shore, and he lived by gob- 
bling up schoolmasters and governesses. He used to 
cut their hair off, scrape them well like a horse-radish. 
So 


Uplifted and Cast Down 

and then begin at their toes and gobble them up till 
he got to their heads; their heads he boiled in a 
saucepan for soup. The boys and girls used to bring 
their masters when they didn’t — ” 

Edward Platt! ” 

Never had the master’s voice sounded so stern. 
The frogs were discovered, and his wrath was not ap- 
peased by seeing the cluster of heads round Teddy, 
and catching a few words of the delicious story going 
on. 

Teddy started to his feet. 

‘‘ Who put these frogs here ? " 

** I did, sir.” The answer was boldly given. 

” Come here! ” 

And amid the sudden hush that fell on all the boys, 
Teddy walked up to the master’s desk with hot cheeks 
and bent head. 

“ Edward Platt, for the last three days you have 
been incorrigible. I have kept you in and given you 
extra tasks, but neither has had any effect; now I 
shall have to do what I have never yet done to you. 
Hold out your hand.” 

Teddy’s head was raised instantly, and, holding him- 
self erect, he bore unflinchingly the three or four 
sharp strokes with the cane that the master thought 
fit to give him. 

'' Now,” said the master, “ you can go home. I 
will dispense with your attendance for the rest of this 
morning.” 

Teddy walked out without a word; he felt the dis- 

8i 


Teddy Button 


grace keenly, but it was the means of bringing him to 
himself, and, rushing away to a secluded corner in a 
field, he flung himself down on the ground and sobbed 
as if his heart would break. Half an hour after his 
uncle, happening to pass through that field, came 
across him. 

“Why, Ted, what be the matter?” he inquired as 
he lifted him to his feet. 

Teddy’s tear-stained face and quivering lips touched 
him so that he sat down on a log of wood near and 
drew him between his knees. 

“Are you feeling bad? are you hurt?” was the 
next question; and then Teddy looked up, and in a 
solemn voice asked, “ What does the queen do when 
her soldiers are beaten instead of getting a victory?” 

“ I — I’m sure I doan’t know. I can’t remember the 
time when we was beaten. I reckon she’s sorry for 
them.” 

“ Doesn’t she turn them out of her army ? ” 

“ Why, noa! ” 

“What does God do when His soldiers leave off 
fighting and knock under to their enemy?” 

“ I reckon He’s sorry too.” 

Dimly Jake Platt began to see the drift of the 
child’s questions. Teddy shook his curly head mourn- 
fully. “ I’m sure He’ll have to turn soldiers out of 
His army if they give up fighting, and let the banner 
drag in the dust, and just let the enemy do what they 
like with them. Why, I’ve done worse than that! ” 
Here he clenched his little fists and raised his voice 
82 


uplifted and Cast Down 

excitedly. Fve gone with the enemy, Tve joined 
Ipse, and that’s being a deserter, and now I sha’n’t 
never, never be able to get back again ! ” 

His uncle looked sorely puzzled. 

Why ain’t you at school ? What have you been 
a-doin’ ? ” 

Teddy told him all in a despairing tone, adding: 

“I can’t meet mother; I’ve been caned and — and 
I’ve disgraced my button! ” 

Here his tears burst out afresh. 

Look here,” said his uncle, slowly; ”1 won’t say 
but what you’ve been a bad boy — your mother her- 
self has been in sore trouble about you this last day 
or two ; but if we gets a fall in the mud it ain’t much 
good stopping there; the only thing is to pick our- 
selves up agen, get ourselves cleaned, and then start 
agen and walk more carefully. Can’t you do that?” 

“I’m a deserter,” sobbed the boy; “my Captain 
won’t have me back. I’ve disgraced Him, I’ve dis- 
graced my banner. I’ve disgraced my button! ” 

“Your Captain will pick you up. I’m thinkin’, if 
you ask Him. He’ll clean you up fust-rate, and set 
you on your legs agen.” 

“ Will He ? ” And hope once more began to dawn 
in the dim blue eyes. 

“ Of course He will. I b’ain’t good at verses and 
such like, but I do remember this one : ' Though your 
sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.’ 
Won’t that one fit you ? ” 

Teddy did not answer. He stood looking up wist- 

83 


Teddy's Button 


fully into the blue sky as if unconscious of his uncle’s 
presence, and then he sighed. “ I think I’d rather be 
alone, Uncle Jake.” 

Jake left him without a word and went home to 
prepare Mrs. John for what had happened. 

She was much distressed, but, like a sensible woman, 
took the right view of the case. 

He wanted to be pulled up sharp. My poor boy ! 
is he much hurt? ” 

The caning was such a minor point of Teddy’s grief 
that Jake confessed to knowing nothing about it. 
Mrs. Platt was inclined to be indignant with the 
schoolmaster. 

“ Such a tiny little chap as he is, so full of feeling 
and nerves — he hadn’t ought to have done it.” 

Yet only that morning she had almost given him a 
sound whipping herself for one of his mad pranks. 

Shortly after Teddy crept in, and, shutting the 
door behind him, put his back against it. 

“ Mother, granny,” he said, '' I’ve been an awful 
boy at school this morning, and I’m in disgrace ; I’ve 
been caned.” 

His tone was tragic, then he added slowly, “ But 
I’m very sorry, and I’m sorry I’ve been so naughty 
at home, and I’m going to start again, because my 
Captain has forgiven me.” 

And then Mrs. John did the wisest thing she could 
do. She asked no questions, but got some warm 
water and took him off to wash his face and hands. 
She saw the red marks across the little hand, but re- 
84 


Uplifted and Cast Down 

trained from making much of it ; and then, after put- 
ting his curly head in order, she drew it to her shoulder, 
and putting her arms round him, she said : 

My son, mother is so glad her little boy feels his 
naughtiness. She has been praying so much for him 
to-day. And now tell me all about it.” 


85 


VIII 


IN THE CLOVER FIELD 

Please, Mrs. Platt, can I see Teddy?” 

“ I think he is out in the clover field. Don’t you 
be romping round with him now, for he’s taken his 
Sunday book out, and is as quiet as can be.” 

It was Nancy who was standing at the farm-house 
door one lovely Sunday evening. Old Mrs. Platt was 
the only one at home, and she motioned with her hand 
where her little grandson would be found. 

Nancy discovered him a few minutes later, lying full 
length in the sweet-scented clover, an open book be- 
fore him. When he raised his face to hers it wore his 
most angelic look. 

” Hulloo! what have you come here for? ” he asked. 

” To talk to you,” and without more ado Nancy 
squatted down beside him. ” What are you doing? ” 
she went on, ” and what’s your Sunday book? ” 

“It’s the "Pilgrim’s Progress.’ I love it; don’t 
you? I haven’t been reading it, though, for a long 
time. I’ve been having a beautiful make-up.” 

“ Tell me,” and Nancy’s tone was eager. 

Teddy looked away to the purple hills in the dis- 

86 


In the Clover Field 


tance, and beyond and above them to the soft evening 
sky, with its delicate, fleecy clouds flitting by and 
taking every imaginable form and shape as they 
did so. 

The dreamy, far-away look came into his eyes as he 
said slowly : 

It’s a Sunday make-believe, quite one to myself, 
and I’ve never told it to any one. I can only tell it 
to myself out of doors, when it’s still and quiet, and 
then I feel sometimes it’s quite real ! ” 

“ Do tell me,” pleaded Nancy, coaxingly. 

Well, it’s getting to heaven — after I’m got there, 
you know.” 

Nancy’s eyes grew big with awe. 

'' Shall I tell you how I begin it ? ” 

She nodded, and Teddy, turning over on his side, 
brought forth another book — a New Testament. 

Turning to an open page, he began to read with 
great emphasis : 

* And he carried me away in the spirit to a great 
and high mountain, and showed me that great city, 
the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from 
God.’” 

“ That’s the Bible,” said Nancy. 

‘‘ Yes ; now listen. I’m lying here in this field ; it’s 
very, very still. I hear a little rustle behind. I don’t 
look round, and then, flash! comes a beautiful white 
angel. Now he’s standing in front of me.” 

What’s he like? ” 

” He’s dressed in white shiny stuff, and he has very 

87 


Teddy^s Button 


white feathery wings. His face is smiling. He has 
eyes like mother’s and hair like Sally White’s.” 

Flaxen, mother says it is,” put in Nancy. 

'‘Yes; he stands quite still. Hush! hear him! 

‘ Teddy, I’ve come to fetch you to heaven.’ And then 
I stand up; I listen hard, but I don’t say anything. 
He says, ‘ You haven’t been altogether a good soldier, 
but the Captain says He wants you. Come along.’ 
Then I get up, and sit myself between his wings, and 
put my arms round his neck, and he begins to go up. 
I see mother and granny and Uncle Jake, and I wave 
my hand to them, and mother throws a kiss at me 
and calls out, ‘ Give my love to father,’ and away we 
go, over our fields, and across the highroad, and over 
Farmer Green’s fields, and then we fly right to the 
top of that mountain over there! ” 

“ Do let me come too,” said Nancy. “ I want to 
be on the angel’s back with you.” 

“ P’r’aps you can follow behind on another angel ; 
I want mine all to myself. We get up to the top of 
the mountain, then I stand down on the ground.” 

“ And me too! ” put in Nancy. 

“You mustn’t keep stopping me; I can’t feel it if 
you do. I stand there, and I think at first I can’t see 
anything but a lot of little soft clouds, one above the 
other, just like those over there; but the angel says, 

‘ Put your foot on one of them, and then on the next 
one; they’re the steps to heaven.’” 

“ Oh! ” gasped Nancy, following it with keen real- 
ity; “you’ll tumble!” 

se 


In the Clover Field 


“ I don’t ; it’s like putting your foot in cotton- wool. 
I go up ; I have to go quite by myself, but the angel 
comes behind to see I don’t fall; and then he says, 
' Look up ; don’t you see the gates ? ’ And then I 
look and I see them — shining gold gates, very big, 
and covered with jewels like Mrs. Graham wears on 
her fingers. I go up and up, and then I’m there.” 

“ Is that all? ” 

“ Why, that’s just the beginning. I’m only outside. 
The gates are shut, but when they see me coming two 
more angels come and swing them wide open, and I’m 
feeling rather frightened, but I walk in. There’s a 
long, wide street made like the gates, and I walk very 
carefully for fear of slipping down ; then I see a lot of 
angels coming along with trumpets, and then they go 
first and begin to play like the soldiers’ band. I march 
on to a very, very, very big door, and there on the 
steps leading up stands my Captain.” 

Teddy paused. '' I can’t tell you what He’s like, 
but I feel what He’s like myself. Such a loving, kind 
face, and He puts His hand on my head and says, 
*Well done, Teddy.’ And then I take hold of His 
hand and I think I cry.” 

Matter-of-fact Nancy sees with surprise that Teddy’s 
eyes are filling with tears at the thought. 

He went on softly : '' I think He takes me up in His 
arms then, because I’m very tired, and He carries me 
into the most beautiful garden you ever saw in your 
life, and He takes me to father, who is waiting there.” 

Tell me what the garden’s like,” 


89 


Teddy^s Button 


Teddy does not speak; he is full of the meeting 
with his father; and Nancy waits a little impatiently. 

The garden is lovely,” he said at last, drawing in 
a breath of delight at the thought. '' It’s always 
sunny and warm, the grass is very soft and green, and 
there’s every flower in the world all bunched up to- 
gether. The seats are made of roses, and if you want 
to go to sleep the pillows are made up of violets ; there’s 
a beautiful river, and trees along full of apples and 
oranges and plums and pears ; the banks are red — 
they’re made of strawberries.” 

“ Oh,” gasped Nancy, “ how lovely! ” 

There are summer-houses, and little white boats 
to row on the river, and gold harps hanging up on the 
trees ; and then I think — I hope — there are lots of dogs 
running about ; and then you can ride all day on lions 
and tigers and bears, and they won’t bite you, but lick 
your hands.” 

Go on ; what else ? ” 

“ Then we stand up and sing hymns when my Cap- 
tain comes by, and we play on the harps and blow 
the trumpets as much as ever we like. I think my 
Captain sometimes comes and sits down and talks to 
us and tells us stories.” 

There was silence; then Nancy said, Is that all?” 

That’s enough for you,” said Teddy, a little con- 
descendingly. “ I think and make believe a lot more.” 

“ I want to go to heaven,” Nancy said thoughtfully. 

Then Teddy came back to earth. 

Have you enlisted yet? ” he asked. 


90 


In the Clover Field 


‘‘ I’m not going to be a soldier,” said Nancy, quickly. 

“ Well, you’ll never get to heaven if you don’t fight 
for our Captain now. He won’t let you inside the 
gates unless you belong to Him. Girls can fight just 
as much as boys.” 

Of course they can. I can fight as well as you, 
button-boy! ” 

''Why don’t you fight your enemy, then?” 

'' What enemy ? ” 

'' My enemy is called Ipse. He’s a dreadful trouble 
to me. You’ve got yours — the thing inside you that 
makes you want to do naughty things ; you’ve got to 
fight it and do the good things instead. I’ve had two 
fights with Ipse to-day.” 

'' Have you? Do tell me.” 

" You mustn’t tell any one, then. It was in church 
this morning. There was an old woman in front of 
me, and she’d untied her bonnet, and the ribbons fell 
over in our pew. She went fast asleep in the sermon, 
and nodded her head back till it almost tumbled off 
her head, and Ipse thought if I would put out my 
hand and just give a tiny, weeny pull at the ribbon, 
it would come right off! ” 

Nancy clapped her hands. ''Why didn’t you? 
What fun!” 

” I wanted to let Ipse have his way dreadful, but I 
remembered I must fight him, and I did. I asked my 
Captain to help me, and then I put both my hands in 
my pockets and screwed up my eyes tight. But I was 
glad when she woke up and tied her bonnet up again.” 

91 


Teddy^s Button 

"‘That was much gooder than I could have been. 
What’s the other fight you had?” 

“ Uncle Jake brought some fresh honey from the 
hives, and he put it on a plate in the window in the 
kitchen. He said when he went out of the room, 
' Don’t touch that, Teddy.’ So I was waiting for 
mother to come to church with me, and I went up 
and looked at it. Ipse said to me, "Just put one fin- 
ger in it,’ and I had to fight him very hard over that, 
but I ran away out of the room.” 

"" And do you always fight him hard? ” 

"" No ; I often forget till it’s too late. Mother said 
I must ask my Captain to make me remember. I do 
ask Him a lot to help me.” 

"" I don’t think I like that sort of fighting.” 

"" Nancy, I wish you’d give yourself to God as His 
soldier.” 

Teddy turned round earnestly as he spoke. 

"" I think,” said Nancy, slowly, "" I like to be naughty 
best.” Then she added with quick change of tone. 

My father is coming home soon, and he’ll come to 
see us here. Then you’ll see what a grand sailor he 
is. He is much grander than your father was.” 

“ My father was an officer,” said Teddy, proudly. 

"" So’s my father; he is a first-class petty officer,” 
and Nancy brought out the words slowly and with 
much emphasis. 

“ My father was a non-commissioned officer,” said 
Teddy, determined not to be beaten; "‘he was a full 
sergeant.” 

92 


In the Qover Field 


“ My father gives orders to all the sailors, and they 
have to do what he tells them.” 

“ So did my father, and he led the soldiers through 
a battle.” 

” My father will fight in twenty battles before he 
dies, and yours only fought in one.” 

” My father is in heaven, and that’s the grandest 
place to be in.” 

Coming to this climax was too much for Nancy, and 
the thoughts of that place of which they had been 
having so much talk subdued their rising ire. 

Teddy said reproachfully, after a minute’s silence. 
Ipse was nearly getting angry with you then. You’re 
such a dreadful girl for making me quarrel with 
you.” 

''You won’t let me say my father is as good as 
yours,” protested Nancy. 

''He isn’t better. Yes — don’t get angry, Nancy; 
let’s say they’re just the same.” 

And with this admission Nancy was for the time 
pacified. 

Before they parted she looked at her little compan- 
ion with solemn eyes. 

" I won’t promise, but I’ll think about belonging to 
the Captain. I should like to go to heaven.” 

It was one day soon after this that Teddy was stray- 
ing over the fields in his happy, careless fashion ; fond 
as he was of games with the village boys, there were 
often times when he liked his own society best, and 
he wandered on, talking to himself and gathering 

93 


Teddy^s Button 

grasses and wild flowers as he went. His quick eyes 
soon noted some sheep making their way through a 
gap in the hedge, and from thence they were going 
through an open gate into the highroad. 

“ Those are Farmer Green’s sheep,” quoth he to 
himself. I’m glad of it — horrid old man he is. No, 
Ipse, be quiet; that isn’t the way to think of him. 
I’ll go and drive them back again! ” 

And he trotted pfT with this intention; but it is 
much more difficult to get sheep into their rightful 
place than out of it, and this Teddy found to his cost. 
His face was hot and red, his voice hoarse with shout- 
ing, and then, to his consternation. Farmer Green ap- 
peared on the scene. 

*^You young vagabond!” he shouted, springing 
toward him, a thick stick in hand, “ leave my sheep 
alone. How dare you come on my premises? You’re 
always after some fresh trick or other.” 

Teddy stood still till he came up to him, then looked 
up frankly at him. 

“ Indeed, sir, I was trying to drive them back 
through their hole again. Look, that’s where they 
broke through.” 

A likely story ! Much more probable you made 
the hole yourself.” 

Teddy’s blood rushed into his face. I never tell 
a lie! ” he cried, “ and you’re a — ” 

He stopped and hung his head in shame at the word 
that almost slipped from him. 

Jonathan Green looked curiously at him, 


94 


In the Clover FielcJ 


“ Now, may I ask what the end of that speech was 
going to be? ” he said grimly. 

Teddy looked up. “ Ipse was going to say you 
were a liar yourself, but I just stopped him in time.” 

“ I shall believe you have a bee in your bonnet, as 
some folks say,” said the farmer ; “ pray, if the sheep 
came out of their proper field, what business was that 
of yours? ” 

” I wanted to be good to you. Fm sorry I tied 
you up that day — dreadful sorry ; and Fve got to love 
you, so I thought it would be a good plan to send 
your sheep back again.” 

"You’ve got to love me! ” repeated the farmer, 
opening his eyes in mock surprise ; " and when did I 
ask for any of your love, young fellow?” 

" I don’t suppose you want me to,” observed 
Teddy, cheerfully, as he saw that the stick, instead of 
being brandished over his head, was now safely rest- 
ing on the ground, " but I’ve got to do it, you see, 
because my banner I’m holding for my Captain is 
love, and I must love everybody.” 

The farmer did not answer. Teddy continued ear- 
nestly : 

" Do you think you could manage to forgive me ? 
and let us shake hands. It would make it easier for 
me to love you if you could.” 

There was such honesty of purpose in the blue eyes 
raised to his, such wistful curves to the sensitive little 
lips, that Jonathan Green for the first time felt the 
thrall of the child’s power. 


95 


Teddy^s Button 


“ Come into the house with me,” he said, “ and I’ll 
see what the missis has to say to you.” 

Teddy followed him without the slightest misgiving, 
and he was led into the farm-house kitchen, where 
Mrs. Green sat knitting over the fire, and one of her 
daughters was laying the cloth for tea. 

“ Mary Ann, here’s the scamp of the village come 
to see you ; keep him here till I come back; I’m after 
some stray sheep.” And shutting the door with a 
bang, the farmer disappeared. 

Teddy shook hands with the old lady and the young 
one, and then seated himself in the big chair opposite 
Mrs. Green. 

“What have you been doing? ” the latter inquired. 
“ How is it your mother can’t keep you out of mis- 
chief?” 

“ I haven’t been in mischief, really I haven’t,” and 
poor Teddy felt the truth of the saying, “ Give a dog 
a bad name and hang him.” 

He tried to tell his story, and then, when that did 
not seem to be understood, he deftly changed the 
subject. 

“ What does Farmer Green like best in the world ? ” 
he asked. 

This astonishing question struck Mrs. Green dumb, 
but her daughter Natty laughed. 

“Gooseberry pudding!” she said. “Now then, 
what’s the next question?” 

But Teddy was silent, and not another word did he 
say till the farmer came in again. 

96 


In the Clover Field 


“ This youngster is on the tack of reforming him- 
self, Mary Ann,” said Jonathan, sitting down in the 
chair that Teddy immediately vacated upon his en- 
trance. “ Do you believe it? ” 

“ I have no faith in boys,” said Mrs. Green, with a 
shake of her head ; “ they’re all alike and are always 
taking you unawares! ” 

You hear what the missis says; you won’t get no 
help from that quarter. But I’ll give you a chance; 
would you like to stop to tea with us?” 

Teddy smiled. Thank you, sir, but mother will 
expect me home to tea ; may I go now ? And do you 
forgive me for .what I did the other day?” 

Farmer Green stretched out a hard, horny hand 
and took the boy’s small one. “ Here’s my hand 
on’t! ” he said, with his grim smile. I may be a fool 
for believing you, but if you’re sorry for the past I 
won’t be the one to rake it up.” 

Teddy’s upward look was so full of innocence that 
he received a clap on the shoulder. 

“ Run along; you’ve made your peace with me.” 

And speeding away, Teddy whispered to him- 
self : 

I shall ask mother to make it, and I shall pick 
the gooseberries myself, and then he’ll know I love 
him! ” 

Farmer Green was very bewildered a few days after 
at receiving a parcel which was left at his house by 
some boys on their way back from school ; he was still 
more puzzled when, upon opening it, it proved to be 

97 


Teddy^s Button 


a gooseberry pudding in a basin, with a piece of paper 
attached to it, and these words in very shaky writing : 
“ I send you my love. Teddy.” 

But his daughter was able to enlighten him, and 
they had a hearty laugh over Teddy’s mode of con- 
firming the truce of friendship. 


98 


IX 


LOST 

Our little soldier had his ups and downs, but on the 
whole he was making steady progress, and his mother 
was thankful' to see his increased thoughtfulness and 
gentleness. He was not less merry or joyous, he was 
still the leader of the village sports, but he was learn- 
ing how to control his mischievous propensities and to 
restrain his hasty words and actions. Nancy was a 
great trial to him sometimes, and yet, though the two 
were ceaselessly involved in arguments and differences, 
they could not keep apart for long. Nancy’s father 
arrived, and Teddy had the privilege of being invited 
to tea, and of hearing the most wonderful yarns from 
the big, brown- bearded man, who, though outwardly 
rough in voice and manner, had a very soft corner in 
his heart for his little daughter. 

Teddy listened and admired, and satisfied Nancy 
by his evident appreciation of the sea stories; but 
when he reached home and was asked about his visit, 
he said emphatically : 

“ Nancy’s father is very nice, but he’s nothing like 
the picture I’ve got of father, with his red coat and 
sash and sword ; and his voice is so gruff and hoarse, 

99 


Teddy^s Button 

and he shouts so loud, and I shall never, never think 
sailors are better than soldiers! ” 

It was after Nancy’s father had left her, and when 
the bright summer days were beginning to close, that 
one afternoon Teddy and Nancy were fishing together. 
At least that was their intention, but any one seeing 
them sitting on the low stone bridge over the river, 
with their lines dangling carelessly in the water, and 
their merry laughter and voices ringing out continu- 
ally, would not be surprised if their fishing did not 
meet with success. At last they clambered down and 
wandered along the tow-path, and then suddenly 
Nancy drew Teddy’s attention to his button. 

Why, it’s nearly coming off; you’ll lose it! ” she 
cried. 

“ I told mother it was getting loose yesterday. She 
says she is always sewing it on. I think I’ll take it 
right off and put it in my pocket. Whatever should 
I do if I was to lose it? ” 

He was jerking at it as he spoke, and it slipped 
from his grasp and rolled away on the path. It was 
too great a temptation for Nancy. Like lightning she 
was after it, and a moment after stood upright and 
exultant, with the button clenched tightly in her little 
hand. 

“ Give it to me at once,” demanded Teddy, quiver- 
ing all over with excitement. . 

Nancy’s brown eyes sparkled with mischief. 

“Aha! little button-boy. I’ve got it at last, and I 
shall take it home and have it sewed on mjy jacket.” 
100 


Lost 


I shall fight you” cried Teddy, if you don’t give 
it up at once. It isn’t yours ; you would be a thief if 
you kept it. Give it to me this minute.” 

“Shall I throw it into the river?” questioned the 
saucy little maiden. 

Teddy darted forward, and then began a tussle. He 
tried to wrench her hands apart, and she exerted all 
her strength to keep them closed. Suddenly, with a 
triumphant cry from Teddy as Nancy’s fingers were 
beginning to yield, the button was liberated with such 
force that it flew violently out, and splash! into the 
river it went. Nancy gave a cry, but without a word 
or sound Teddy plunged in head foremost after it. It 
was done without a thought. He was a good swim- 
mer, and for a minute Nancy watched him in breath- 
less silence. But when his little head rose out of the 
water he seemed half stupefied, and cried out in a 
weak voice, “ Help ! I’m drowning! ” then sank again. 
Nancy set up a shout then of frantic agony, and a 
carter coming over the bridge fortunately heard her, 
and came to the rescue not a moment too soon. He 
threw off his coat and heavy boots, and plunged in 
just as Teddy’s curly head rose for the third and last 
time. It did not take long to bring him to shore, but 
he lay in the carter’s arms limp and lifeless, and 
Nancy burst into an agony of tears. 

“He’s dead! he’s dead! and I’ve killed him!” she 
cried. 

The carter wasted no time in trying to restore ani- 
mation to the little frame, but all his efforts were un- 

lOI 


Teddy^s Button 


availing, and at last he said, I’ll put him in my cart 
and drive as fast as I can to the doctor’s. It isn’t 
more than a mile off, if so be that he’s at home. You 
go home and fetch his mother as fast as you can.” 

Nancy raced off, sobbing as she went, and she was 
in such a state of excitement that when at length she 
burst open the farm-house door she seemed to have 
lost her speech. 

Mrs. John saw her face and started forward. ” It’s 
Teddy,” she cried; ‘'what has happened?” 

“ He’s at — he’s going to the doctor’s, dead! ” she 
gasped, then fell breathless to the floor. Without a 
word Mrs. John snatched up a shawl, and with white, 
set face, and lips moving in agonized prayer, she flew 
along the road to the doctor’s. She was shown into 
the room where the doctor was hard at work, but 
Teddy lay like a waxen image, and the sweetest smile 
on his lips, his fair curls clustering round his brow, and 
only an ugly bump among the curls told the reason of 
his sinking under the water again so suddenly. 

In breathless silence the mother stood and watched. 
“ Don’t give him up, doctor,” she cried, as at last the 
doctor straightened himself and paused, looking at the 
mother sorrowfully. He shook his head, but set to 
work again, trying artificial respiration, and leaving 
no effort untried to bring back the life that had ap- 
parently departed. 

And then there came the moment when his efforts 
met with success, when, placing his hand against the 
little heart, he felt a feeble throb. He redoubled his 


102 


Lost 

lUiJ 

efforts ; the breath began to appear, a faint color tinged 
the blue lips, and at last the heavy eyelids raised and 
a faint voice said, Mother! ” 

Mrs. John sank on her knees. Thank God 1 ” was 
all she said, and then she fainted dead away. 

Much later in the evening Teddy was placed in his 
own little bed at home, but, though alive, his condi- 
tion was most critical, and he lay in a heavy stupor, 
from which it seemed impossible to rouse him. The 
doctor said he must have struck his head against a 
stone when first he dived into the river, and this had 
produced concussion of the brain. Nancy had been 
taken home before he came, but the news was 
brought to her that he was still alive, though in great 
danger, and that was a great comfort to her poor little 
sorrowful soul. 

For many days he lay between life and death. 
The inquiries after him from every one of his school- 
fellows, the Hall, and the different farms and places 
round, told his mother how much her little son had 
been beloved. And when, on the following Sunday, 
Mr. Upton gave out in a faltering voice, “ The prayers 
of this congregation are desired for Edward Platt, 
who is very dangerously ill,” there was not a dry eye 
in the church, and one or two audible sobs came from 
the boys’ seats in the gallery. 

Mrs. John never left her boy’s bedside; night and 
day she was by him, and many wondered at her calm 
peacefulness. After the first great shock she had been 
able to hand over her child into her Father’s loving 

103 


Teddy's Button 


hands and rest content with the result; and so she 
was able in perhaps the most anxious time of her life 
to look up and say, “ Father, not my will, but Thine 
be done.” 

The days slowly passed and still no change for the 
better. The doctor came and went with his grave, 
impenetrable face, and Teddy was still unconscious. 
Then doubts began to rise in his mother’s heart as to 
whether his reason would ever come back, and she 
stopped the doctor as he was leaving one morning to 
ask him the question : 

If he lives, doctor, will he be an idiot — my brave, 
bonny boy ? Oh, I would rather have death for him 
than that! ” 

And the doctor could only give her the meager con- 
solation, He may recover yet. I have seen worse 
cases than this pull through and be as bright as ever 
they were.” 

And then, one afternoon, when the setting sun was 
flooding the room with a golden glory, the little head 
turned on the pillow. Mother! ” 

The sound of that word, not uttered since she had 
seen him in the doctor’s house that first terrible day, 
was like the sweetest music in her ear. Stooping over 
him, she met the clear, conscious gaze of the blue eyes. 

'' So tired, mother ! Put your hand under my cheek. 
Good-night.” 

The eyelids closed and the limbs relaxed in healthy 
sleep. The mother sat down, and though her arm 
became stiff and weary, not a muscle of it moved. 

104 


Lost 


The doctor came in just before he woke. 

“ He has spoken ; he knew me,” she said, and the 
doctor nodded and smiled ; and then, a minute after, 
the boy raised his head. 

“ Where am I, mother? ” he asked feebly. 

“ In bed, darling. You’ve been ill.” 

“Where’s my button?” 

“He’ll do,” said the doctor, contentedly; “keep 
him quiet and feed him up.” 

And the glad news went round the village that 
Teddy was getting better. 

It was a bright day for the farm when Teddy was 
brought down in a blanket and put in the big easy- 
chair by the fire. His little face and hands looked 
very fragile, with the blue veins standing out clearly 
under the transparent white skin, but his large eyes 
shone with light and gladness. His mother made him 
comfortable, then left him in his grandmother’s charge 
for a short time. Old Mrs. Platt had had her share of 
suffering during those sad days ; her heart was wrapped 
up in the boy, and perhaps the greatest trial of all was 
to stand aloof and perform her daily work downstairs, 
while her daughter-in-law had the sole charge of him. 

She came across to the chair now, and kneeling 
down in front of it said, with tears in her eyes, as she 
took his two little hands into hers, “ Granny has sadly 
missed her pickle all this while.” 

And then Teddy put his little arms round her neck 
and hugged her close, crushing her cap in the most 
reckless fashion as he did so. 

105 


Teddy^s Button 

I’m getting better every day, granny, and I love 
you ever so ! ” 

When Mrs. Platt released herself he went on more 
soberly, I feel very tipsy on my legs. I asked 
mother to let me walk just now, but I couldn’t man- 
age very well. I don’t think I shall be able to run 
fast for a year; shall I? ” 

“ Oh, we’ll see you about long before that, please 
God! ” 

“ And, granny, you know about my sorrow? ” 

The blue eyes looked wistful at the thought. 

Yes, laddie, but don’t think of that now.” 

I told mother I didn’t want ever to get well when 
I first talked about it; I felt I couldn’t live without 
my button. But she told me that was wrong; she 
said it wasn’t being a good soldier to wish to die di- 
rectly trouble came, and that if I bore my sorrow well 
God would be pleased. Do you think I’m bearing it 
well, granny?” 

“Yes, yes,” Mrs. Platt said soothingly. “Look at 
those lovely flowers and grapes that Mrs. Graham sent 
to you this morning. Wasn’t that kind of her? ” 

“ I don’t ever forget it,” pursued Teddy, refusing 
to have the subject changed ; “ but I thought this 
morning that God could give it to me again, and so 
I’m going to ask Him every day till it comes, and do 
you know, granny, I think He’ll give it to me ? Only, 
mother says I must be patient.” 

Presently he asked, “ Could I see Nancy one day 
soon? ” 
io6 


Lost 


'' She comes on her way to school every day to ask 
how you are. Poor little maid ! she's taken on dread- 
ful about your illness, and wouldn't eat her food when 
you were so ill. Her mother got quite anxious about 
her. We'll send for her in a day or two if you keep 
well." 

And two days after Nancy appeared. She came up 
to the big chair very shyly, and looked with awe upon 
Teddy's white, wasted face ; then she cried impulsively : 

Oh, button-boy, will you ever, ever forgive me? 
If you had died I should have killed you ! " 

“ No, you wouldn't," said Teddy, putting up his 
face and kissing her. “I was just as naughty; I 
shouldn’t have tried to fight with you." 

I go to the river every day," Nancy went on sor- 
rowfully, and Farmer Green brought a big net one 
day and dragged up a lot of stones and old tin pans, 
but the button wasn’t there. I hope it will be washed 
ashore one day, and so I look along the banks, but I 
haven’t seen a sign of it yet! ” 

I’m asking God to give it back to me every day," 
said Teddy, with a little decided nod, “and I think 
He’ll do it. You ask Him too, Nancy, and perhaps 
He’ll do it quicker." 

“ I’ve asked God every day to make you better, 
and I promised Him if He would do it I would be the 
Captain’s soldier. Yes, I did, and I said I would give 
up being a sailor, and be just a soldier like you are." 

Nancy made this statement with great solemnity, 
and Teddy beamed with delight. 

107 


Teddy's Button 


“ And are you really enlisted ? 

“ I don’t quite know, but I’m trying to be good, 
and I ask Jesus to help me every day.” 

Then there was silence. Nancy sat down on the 
rug and took the large tabby-cat on her lap. 

Did you think you were going to die? ” she asked 
presently. 

** I didn’t think nothing at all till I woke up and 
saw mother crying over me, and then I felt dreadful 
tired and ill. I asked her one day where she would 
bury me, for I was sure I was much too ill to get 
better, and she — well, she smiled and said God was 
making me stronger every day. I didn’t feel I was 
better a bit.” 

** Would you like to have died and gone to heaven?” 

‘‘Yes,” Teddy answered promptly; “of course I 
should. Wouldn’t you ? ” 

Nancy shook her head. “ I might if I was quite sure 
the angel would carry me safely all the way without 
dropping me, or leaving me in the clouds before we got 
there ; but I think I like to live here best. Besides, 
I don’t think I’m good enough to go to heaven 
yet.” 

“ I don’t think it’s being good gets us to heaven. 
Jesus died to let us, you know, like the hymn says: 

' He died that we might be forgiven, 

He died to make us good, 

That we might go at last to heaven. 

Saved by His precious blood.’ 

Have you asked Him to forgive you, Nancy?” 
io8 


Lost 


Nancy nodded. Yes, when you were so ill; I felt 
I had been so wicked that God was punishing me.” 

Here, reverting to more earthly topics, Nancy held 
up the cat arrayed in her sailor hat and jacket. 

Look, this is Jack Tar! Doesn’t she make a jolly 
sailor? ” 

A gleeful, hearty peal of laughter came from Teddy, 
and was heard in the adjoining room by his grand- 
mother with comfort. She called Mrs. John. 

” Hear that, now! Why, he’s getting quite himself 
again; it does him good to have a child to talk to; 
she must come again.” 

And this Nancy did, and the roses began to come 
back to Teddy’s cheeks, and then others of his play- 
fellows were allowed to come and see him. 

Certainly no little invalid could have received greater 
attention than he did during that time of convalescence. 
Every day small offerings were presented at the door 
by the village children, and very diverse were the gifts. 
Sometimes a bunch of wild flowers, sometimes birds’ 
eggs, marbles, boxes of chalk, a packet of taffy or 
barley-sugar, a currant bun, a tin trumpet, a whistle, 
a jam tart, a penny pistol, and so on, till his mother 
declared she would have to stop taking them in, as 
they were getting such an accumulation of them. 

''And how is my little fellow-soldier?” asked Mr. 
Upton, as he came in one day for his first visit to the 
little invalid after being downstairs. 

" He’ll soon be out of hospital,” responded Teddy, 
brightly. 

loq 


Teddy's Button 


And is he still fighting for his Captain? ” 

I think, sir, Ipse has been very good while I’ve 
been ill.” 

” He has been lying low, has he ? If I mistake not 
you will have a brush with him yet before long, so be 
on the lookout.” 

And Teddy found the good rector’s words come 
true. Days came when he tried his mother’s patience 
much by his fractiousness and restlessness, and he 
was more often the vanquished than the conqueror. 

Even Nancy one day remonstrated with him. 

“You’re nasty and cross to-day; no one pleases 
you.” 

“ I want to get out. I’m tired of this old kitchen.” 

“ If you can’t get out you can’t. Being cross won’t 
take you out.” 

This logic convinced, but did not comfort. 

“ I expect your Captain won’t come near you when 
you’re cross.” 

And then Teddy burst out crying: 

“ I’m not a soldier at all. I don’t know how to 
stand fire, and it’s all Ipse, and I’m too tired to fight 
him!” 

Poor little soldier! One above took note of the 
physical weakness and weariness, and in His tender- 
ness pitied and forgave. 


no 


X 


FOUND 

It was winter-time, and Teddy was back at school, 
full of health and spirits; yet, through all his boyish 
mirth, the loss of his button was never forgotten. 
Daily he prayed for it to be found, and his hope and 
faith in God never failed him. 

Perhaps God will send it to me for a Christmas 
surprise; perhaps I shall find it in my stocking on 
Christmas morning,” he used to say to his mother, and 
she told him to pray on. 

He had come in from school one cold day in the 
beginning of December, and was watching with keen 
interest the roasting of an apple suspended from a 
string in front of the fire, when there was a sharp 
knock at the door, and the footman from the Hall ap- 
peared. 

'' The master wants you to let the youngster come 
up with me now and speak to him.” 

What about ? ’ ’ questioned Mrs. J ohn, rather alarmed 
at this summons, and wondering if Teddy had been up 
to mischief. 

He won’t keep him long.” Then, as excited 
Teddy began pulling on his greatcoat, he whispered 

III 


Teddy's Button 


something into his mother’s ear which had the effect 
of completely reassuring her and bringing a pleased 
smile about her lips. Teddy was delighted to go up 
to the Hall, and he trotted along by the side of the 
tall young footman, keeping up a brisk conversation 
as he went. 

“ I shall never be a footman,” he was asserting; I 
couldn’t keep my legs so stiff. You’re always like the 
soldiers when they stand at 'attention.’ Don’t you 
ever kick your legs out in the kitchen, or have you 
got stiff knees? ” 

" I can kick out as much as I like,” responded the 
young man, in rather an offended tone. 

"Don’t you think it’s nicer to be a soldier? 
Wouldn’t you like to be one?” 

"No; their grub is something shocking, and they 
live like cattle ! ” 

Teddy would not allow this, and the discussion be- 
gan to get somewhat heated, when their arrival at the 
house put an end to it. 

"I say, just tell me, is the colonel angry?” asked 
Teddy, as, looking into the large, brightly lighted hall, 
he suddenly felt his diminutive size. 

" Not he. Wipe your feet and take your cap off.” 

Teddy stepped in upon the soft rugs almost on tip- 
toe, and the colonel himself came out into the hall to 
meet him. 

" Come in, my little man, and don’t be frightened.” 

Teddy held his head erect as he followed the colo- 
nel into a bright, cheery room, where a group of ladies 

II2 


Found 


and gentlemen were round the fire enjoying their cup 
of five-o’clock tea. 

Mrs. Graham came forward and gave him a kindly 
greeting. 

“ This is our would-be soldier,” said Colonel Graham 
— “ the ‘ button-boy,’ as I hear he is called. Some of 
you remember his story, told in our school-room to 
the regiment passing through in the summer, and we 
weren’t surprised to hear of his narrow escape from 
death while trying to regain his button. But perhaps 
you’ve forgotten all about it, youngster? A button 
isn’t worth much sorrow after the first pang of its loss 
is over.” 

Teddy’s face was a picture ; the blood rushed up to 
his forehead, his eyes flashed, and with clenched hands 
he said boldly, ” Do you think I could ever forget my 
father’s button, sir? I’d rather have it back than 
anything else in the world! And I’m going to get it 
back, too! ” 

But it’s at the bottom of the river, isn’t it? ” 

I don’t know where it is, but God does, and I ask 
Him every day to send it back to me. I’m quite sure 
He will, and I think it will be this Christmas.” 

The ladies exchanged glances. 

''Fact is stranger than fiction, certainly,” said the 
colonel. " Now, my boy, come here.” 

He was standing on the hearth-rug with his back to 
the fire, and putting his hand into his pocket, he drew 
out a small box and placed it in the child’s hand. 

" Open it and tell me if you recognize the contents.” 

113 


Teddy's Button 

Teddy lifted the lid, and then a gasp, and a cry of 
ecstasy broke from him. 

Oh, my button, my own button! Oh, sir! ” 

And here the tears welled up in the blue eyes, and, 
utterly regardless of the place he was in, he flung him- 
self down on the hearth-rug and buried his head, face 
foremost, in his arms. He lay there so still for a mo- 
ment that Mrs. Graham bent forward to touch him, 
fearing that the excitement might be too much for 
him, but he was only trying to hide his emotion from 
those looking on. In another minute he rose to his 
feet, and with a face perfectly radiant he turned to 
the colonel: “It’s lovely, sir, it’s lovely! ” 

The colonel had had it set in a little gold frame- 
work with blue ribbon attached, making it look as 
much like a medal as possible, and Mrs. Graham now 
came forward and pinned it to his coat. 

“ Now, my boy, I don’t think you will ever guess 
how it came into our possession. The other day I 
brought home a few fish, and in preparing one of these 
for table, our cook discovered your button inside it — 
I wonder the fish had not come to an untimely end 
before from such an indigestible meal! She told us 
of it, not recognizing what a valuable treasure she had 
brought to light, and directly we saw it we knew it 
was the redoubtable button that has been the means 
of causing such interest in our neighborhood.” 

Teddy listened eagerly. “ No wonder no one could 
find it,” he said, fingering his adornment proudly. 
“ It’s like the fish that brought Peter some money once.” 
114 


Found 


Then the colonel turned to one of his friends. 

‘‘ Now, major, what do you think of this youngster? 
Would you like to take him as a drummer-boy into 
your regiment? ” 

The major scanned the boy from head to foot, then 
answered emphatically, I wouldn’t take a boy with * 
a face like that for a good deal! ” 

“Why not?’’ asked Mrs. Graham. 

“ Because it’s the ruination of them. I shall never 
forget a pretty boy we had once; he was called the 
‘ cherub ’ and had been a chorister — sang divinely. 
He was only four years in the regiment, and his case 
was brought to me before he was discharged. He 
came to us an angel, and departed a finished young 
blackguard. He drank, stole, and lied to any extent, 
and was as well versed in vicious sins as any old toper 
in the regiment. When I see a fresh drummer brought 
in I wonder how long he will keep his innocence, and 
sometimes wish his friends could see the life he is sub- 
jected to. I give them a month generally, and then 
away flies their bloom and all their home training.” 

“ But, Major Tracy, you are giving us a shocking 
idea of the morals in the service,” said one lady. 

He shrugged his shoulders. “ I grant you, on the 
whole, they are better than they were,, but the service 
is no place for highly strung boys like this one. The 
rougher, harder natures get on best. When they get 
older, and have sense and strength enough to stick to 
their principles, then let them enlist.” 

“ But I have always heard,” said Mrs. Graham, 

115 


Tcddy^s Button 


“ that the drummer-boys are so well looked after now. 
They have a room to themselves and the chaplains 
have classes for them.” 

“ That may be. I would only ask you to watch a 
boy, as I have, from the start, and see what kind of a 
•man he grows into after having spent most of his early 
youth in the service. There are exceptions, I know, 
but precious few as far as my experience goes.” 

Teddy did not understand this conversation, but he 
gathered from the major’s tone that he did not ap- 
prove of him. 

” Do you think I’m too small to be a soldier? ” he 
asked. 

The major laughed. ” Don’t bother your head 
about your size,” he said ; '' you’ll grow, and there’s 
plenty of time before you.” 

I don’t want to be a drummer,” said Teddy, ear- 
nestly ; “ I’d rather wait and be a proper soldier — a 
soldier that fights.” 

“ A capital decision ; stick to it, little chap, and 
you have my hearty approval.” 

“ You have your father’s blood in your veins,” said 
the colonel, laughing; “meanwhile I suppose you try 
your hand on the village boys to content your fighting 
propensities.” 

“ No,” said Teddy, a grave look coming into his 
sunny blue eyes. “ I don’t fight with anybody but 
Ipse now; he keeps me always busy.” 

“Who is Ipse?” asked Mrs. Graham. 

“ He’s my own enemy ; Mr. Upton told me about 

ii6 


Found 


him. You see I belong to God’s army. He takes 
very little soldiers. I’ve been enlisted for months and 
months, and Ipse is just another part of me — the bad 
part!” 

There was silence on the little company for a min- 
ute, then Major Tracy said, with a laugh, “ What an 
original little oddity it is; quite a character!” 

And then Teddy was dismissed. He flew down the 
avenue home as fast as he could go. Snow was fall- 
ing, but he heeded it not, and burst into the kitchen a 
little time later in a breathless state of excitement. 

His mother knew already, so was prepared for his 
news, but she was not prepared for the handsome 
adornment now on her boy’s coat, and his grand- 
mother and uncle were equally pleased and gratified 
at the colonel’s kindness. 

Teddy’s prayer of thanksgiving that night touched 
his mother greatly. 

“ O God! I do thank You. I knew You would an- 
swer me, for You knew how dreadful it was to live 
without my button, and You knew how unhappy my 
heart was about it, though I tried to be brave and not 
talk about it. Please do help me to take great care 
of it, and never let me lose it again! ” 

The next morning before breakfast Teddy ran off 
to tell Nancy and to show her the long-lost treasure. 
She was quite as delighted as he was, but said a few 
minutes after, ” Button-boy, do you remember telling 
me you couldn’t live without your button? You said 
you’d pine away and die.” 

117 


Teddy^s Button 


Yes, I thought I should, but as soon as I began to 
pray about it I knew it was coming back and so I got 
better.” 

Well,” said Nancy, with a sigh, “ I won’t ever try 
to get your button again, but if you were to die before 
me, I wonder if you would let me have it then? I 
would take great care of it.” 

” I meant it to be buried with me,” said Teddy, 
considering, but I don’t mind altering my mind 
about it, and if you promise not to give it to any one 
else I will let you have it.” 

'' I promise truly,” vowed Nancy, and I told you 
I wouldn’t love you till you gave it to me, but I will 
now, because I’m trying to be good! ” 

And we’ll always remember that soldiers and sail- 
ors are just as good as each other — they’re quite even I ” 

“Yes,” nodded Nancy; “sailors and soldiers are 
quite even, and my father is just as good as your father 
was! ” 

Teddy looked a little bit doubtful at this, but wisely 
refrained from making any objection to the assertion, 
and then they parted, Nancy calling out after him : 

“ And when you die, and I get the button, I shall 
wear it as a brooch! ” 

“ Mother,” said Teddy a few days after this, as she 
was paying him her usual good-night visit, “ it’s a 
very funny thing; but, do you know, I used to wish 
for an enemy so much, to fight and carry on with, and 
now I’ve got one, and have Ipse to fight with. I’m 
getting rather tired of him. Is that wicked ? I asked 
Mr. Upton to-day if I couldn’t ever get rid of Ipse, 

ii8 


Found 


— I mean when I am grown up, — but he said I never 
should altogether, but that I could keep him well 
under, so that he wouldn’t trouble me so. He does 
trouble me a lot now.” 

Soldiers must never get tired of fighting, son, and 
you have your Captain to help you.” 

Yes ; and I suppose when I get bigger and stronger 
it will be much easier, won’t it? Mother, do you have 
any fighting? Have you got an enemy like me?” 

“Yes, indeed I have, my boy.” 

“ But you’re never beaten, are you ? You never do 
anything wrong! ” 

“ I don’t get into mischief and disobey orders, per- 
haps,” Mrs. John said, smiling, “but I have lots of 
difficulties and temptations that you know little about, 
son, and I am afraid I very often get beaten by the 
enemy.” 

Teddy pondered over this. “ When I get to heaven 
I sha’n’t have to fight with Ipse, shall I ? ” 

“No, darling; there will be no fighting with sin 
there.” 

Teddy smiled. “ Perhaps my Captain will think I’ve 
been nearly as brave as father if I fight Ipse hard till 
I die.” 

“ There is a verse in the Bible that says : * He that 
ruleth his spirit is better than he that taketh a city.’ 
Mother would rather have her little son fight God’s 
battles than be the bravest soldier in the queen’s army.” 

“But,” said Teddy, “ I mean to do both; and now, 
mother, just before I go to sleep, give me father’s 
button to kiss! ” 




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